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v OSMANIA UNTVERSITY'LIBIIARY 

Call No.7 /-/A&ssion No. 

Author 

Title 



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This book should be returned on or before the date 
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TALKS BY ABDUL BAHA 




Koissonas & Ta^onier] ABDUL BAHA. 



TALKS BY 
ABDUL BAHA 

GIVEN IN PARIS 



" There is no opposition between Religion and 
Science, they are the two wings upon which 
Man's Intelligence can soar into the Heights ; 
with which the Human Soul can progress." 

Abdul Baha. 



THIRD EDITION 



LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. 

YORK HOUSE, PORTUGAL STREET, W.C. 
1916 



E &ONDON AMD NORWICH PRESS, LIMITED, LONDON AND NORWICH 



PREFACE 

IV/TUCH has already been written of the visit of 
" - Abdul Baha, Abbas Effendi, to Europe. During 
his stay in Paris at 4, Avenue de Camoens, he gave short 
" Talks" each morning to those who crowded, eager to 
hear His Teaching. 

These listeners were of many Nationalities and types 
of thought, learned and unlearned, members of various 
religious sects, Theosophists and Agnostics, Materialists 
and Spiritualists, etc., etc. 

Abdul Baha spoke in Persian, which was translated 
into French. 

Of these " Talks " my two daughters, my friend and 
I took notes. 

Many friends asked us to publish these notes in 
English, but we hesitated. At length when Abdul Baha 
himself asked us to do so we, of course, consented 
in spite*of our feeling that our pen is " too weak for such 
high message." 

The quality of spontaneous simplicity, so ably given 
in French by the Translator, we have endeavoured to 
maintain in our humble English Presentation. 

S. L. B., M. E. B., R. E. C. B. and B. M. P. 

Mont Pelerin, Vevey. 
January, 1912. 



CONTENTS 

PAQB 

THE DUTY OF KINDNESS AND SYMPATHY TOWARDS 

STRANGERS AND FOREIGNERS . . . . n 

THE POWER AND VALUE OF TRUE THOUGHT DEPENDS 

UPON ITS MANIFESTATION IN ACTION . . 13 

GOD is THE GREAT COMPASSIONATE PHYSICIAN WHO 

ALONE GIVES TRUE HEALING .... 15 

THE NEED FOR UNION BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF THE 

EAST AND WEST ...... 17 

GOD COMPREHENDS ALL ; HE CANNOT BE COMPRE- 
HENDED ........ 18 

THE PITIFUL CAUSES OF WAR, AND THE DUTY OF EVERY- 
ONE TO STRIVE FOR PEACE ..... 23 

THE SUN OF TRUTH 26 

THE LIGHT OF TRUTH is NOW SHINING UPON THE EAST 

AND THE WEST ....... 28 

THE UNIVERSAL LOVE 30 

THE IMPRISONMENT OF ABDUL BAHA . . - 34 

GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO MAN ..... 36 

THE CLOUDS THAT OBSCURE THE SUN OF TRUTH . 38 

RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES 40 

THE BENEFITS OF GOD TO MAN .... 44 

BEAUTY AND HAHMONY IN DIVERSITY ... 45 
THE TRUE MEANING OF THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING 

THE COMING OF CHRIST 48 

THE HOLY SPIRIT THE INTERMEDIARY POWER BE- 
TWEEN GOD AND MAN ...... 51 

THE Two NATURES IN MAN 53 

MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS .... 55 
THE EVOLUTION OF MATTER AND DEVELOPMENT OF 

THE SOUL 57 

THE SPIRITUAL MEETINGS IN PARIS .... 60 

THE Two KINDS OF LIGHT 6x 

SPIRITUAL ASPIRATION IN THE WEST .... 63 

LECTURE GIVEN AT A STUDIO IN PARIS ... 65 

BAHA'U'LLAH 67 

6 



CONTENTS 7 

FAOt 

GOOD I DBAS MUST BE CARRIED INTO ACTION . . 7! 

THE TRUE MEANING OF BAPTISM BY WATER AND FIRE 73 

DISCOURSE AT " L' ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTS " . 75 

THE EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT .... 80 

THE DESIRES AND PRAYERS OF ABDUL BAHA . . 86 

CONCERNING BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT ... 87 
THE BAHAIS MUST WORK WITH HEART AND SOUL TO 

BRING ABOUT A BETTER CONDITION IN THE WORLD QI 

ON CALUMNY 93 

THERE CAN BE NO TRUE HAPPINESS AND PROGRESS 

WITHOUT SPIRITUALITY 97 

PAIN AND SORROW 100 

THE PERFECT HUMAN SENTIMENTS AND VIRTUES . 103 
THE CRUEL INDIFFERENCE OF PEOPLE TOWARDS THE 

SUFFERING OF FOREIGN RACES . . . .105 
WE MUST NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY THE SMALLNESS OF 

OUR NUMBERS 107 

WORDS SPOKEN BY ABDUL BAHA IN PASTOR WAGNER'S 

CHURCH (FOYER DE L'AME) IN PARIS . . . 109 

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, PARIS 117 

THE FIRST PRINCIPLE SEARCH AFTER TRUTH . . 125 

THE SECOND PRINCIPLE THE UNITY OF MANKIND . 127 

THE THIRD PRINCIPLE LOVE AND AFFECTION . . 130 
FOURTH PRINCIPLE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RELATION 

BETWEEN RELIGION AND SCIENCE . . .130 
THE FIFTH PRINCIPLE OF THE TEACHING OF BAHA'U'LLAH 

is : THE ABOLITION OF PREJUDICES . . .136 

THE SIXTH PRINCIPLE MEANS OF EXISTENCE . . 140 
SEVENTH PRINCIPLE EQUALITY OF MEN . . .143 

THE EIGHTH PRINCIPLE UNIVERSAL PEACE ESPERANTO 144 
NINTH PRINCIPLE THE NON-INTERFERENCE OF RELIGION 

WITH POLITICS 146 

THE TENTH PRINCIPLE EQUALITY OF SEX . . 149 
THE ELEVENTH PRINCIPLE THE POWER OF THE HOLY 

SPIRIT 152 

THE LAST MEETING 157 

ADDRESS BY ABDUL BAHA AT THE FRIENDS' MEETING 

HOUSE, ST. MARTIN'S LANE 161 

PRAYER AS SERVICE 164 

EVIL 165 

PROGRESS OF THE SOUL 166 

FOUR KINDS OF LOVE ...... 167 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 

FOR the information of those who know little or 
nothing of the Bahai Movement, the following 
account is given of Bahaism : the religion of the 
disciples of Baha'ti'llah, an outcome of Babism, translated 
from the Encyclopaedia of Larousse : 

Mirza Husain 'Ali Nuri Baha'u'llah was born at 
Tihran in A.D. 1817. After the death of the Bab he was, 
with the principal Babis, exiled to Baghdad, and later 
to Constantinople and Adrianople, under the surveillance 
of the Ottoman Government. It was in the latter city 
that he openly declared his mission. He was " He whom 
God would make manifest," whom the Bab had announced 
in his writings, the great Manifestation of God promised 
for the last days ; and in his letters to the principal 
Rulers of the States of Europe he invited them to join 
him in establishing religion and universal peace. From 
this time, the Babis who acknowledged him became 
Bahais. The Sultan then exiled him (A.D. 1868) to 
Acca in Palestine, where he composed the greater part 
of his doctrinal works, and where he died in A.D. 1892 
(May 29). He had confided to his son, 'Abbas Efendi 
'Abdu'l Baha, the work of spreading the religion and 
continuing the connection between the Bahais of all 
parts of the world. In point of fact, there are Bahais 
everywhere, not only in Muhammedan countries, but 
also in all the countries of Europe, as well as in the 
United States, Canada, Japan, India, etc. This is 
because Baha'u'llah has known how to transform Babism 
into a universal religion, which is presented as the 
fulfilment and completion of all the ancient faiths. 
The Jews await the Messiah, tfce Christians the return 



io INTRODUCTORY NOTE 

of Christ, the Muslims the Mahdi, the Buddhists the 
fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahrain, the Hindus 
the reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists a better 
social organisation ! Baha'u'llah represents all these, 
and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the 
different religions ; reconciles them in their primitive 
purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas 
and rites. For Bahaism has no clergy, no religious 
ceremonial, no public prayers ; its only dogma is belief 
in God and in His Manifestations (Zoroaster, Moses, 
Jesus, etc., Baha'u'llah). The principal works of 
Baha'u'llah are the Kitabu'l-Iqan, the Kitabu'l- Aqdas 
the Kitabu'l- Ahd, and numerous letters or Tablets 
addressed to sovereigns or private individuals. Ritual 
holds no place in the religion, which must be expressed 
in all the actions of life, and accomplished in neighbourly 
love. Everyone must have an occupation. The 
education of children is enjoined and regulated. No 
one has the power to receive confession of sins, or to 
give absolution. The priests of the existing religions 
should renounce celibacy, and should preach by their 
example, mingling in the life of the people. Monogamy 
is universally recommended, etc. Questions not treated 
of are left to the civil law of each country, and to the 
decisions of the Bait 7- Adi , or House of Justice, 
instituted by Baha'u'llah. Respect towards the Head 
of the State is a part of respect towards God/ A univer- 
sal language and the creation of tribunals of arbitra- 
tion between nations are to suppress wars. " You are 
leaves of the same tree, and drops of the same sea," 
Baha'u'llah has said. Briefly, it is not so much a new 
religion as religion renewed and unified, which is directed 
to-day by Abdul'1-Baha. (Nouveau Larousse IllustrS, 
supplement, p. 66.) 



THE DUTY OF KINDNESS AND SYMPATHY TOWARDS 
STRANGERS AND FOREIGNERS 

October i6th and ijth. 

EN a man turns his face to God he finds sun- 
shine everywhere. All men are his brothers. 
Let not conventionality cause you to seem cold and 
unsympathetic when you meet strange people from 
other countries. Do not look at them as though you 
suspected them of being evil-doers, thieves, and boors. 
You think it necessary to be very careful, not to expose 
yourselves to the risk of making acquaintance with such, 
possibly, undesirable people. 

I ask you not to think only of yourselves. Be kind 
to the strangers, whether 'come they from Turkey, 
Japan, Persia, Russia, China or any other country in 
the world. 

Help to make them feel at home ; find out where they 
are staying, ask if you may render them any service ; 
try to make their lives a little happier. 

In this way, even if, sometimes, what you at first 
suspected should be true, still go out of your way to be 
kind to them this kindness will help them to become 
better. 

After all, why should any foreign people be treated 
as strangers ? 

Let those who meet you know, without your pro- 
claiming the fact, that you are indeed a Bahai. 

Put into practice the Teaching of Baha'u'llah, that 
of kindness to all nations. Do not be content with 

ii 



12 DUTY OF KINDNESS 

showing friendship in words alone, let your heart bum 
with loving kindness for all who may cross your path. 

Oh you of the Western nations, be kind to those 
who come from the Eastern world to sojourn among 
you. Forget your conventionality when you speak 
with them ; they are not accustomed to it. To Eastern 
peoples this demeanour seems cold, unfriendly. Rather 
let your manner be sympathetic. Let it be seen that 
you are filled with Universal Love. When you meet a 
Persian or any other stranger, speak to him as to a friend ; 
if he seems to be lonely try to help him, give him of your 
willing service ; if he be sad console him, if poor succour 
him, if oppressed rescue him, if in misery comfort him. 
In so doing you will manifest that not in words only, 
but in deed and in truth, you think of all men as your 
brothers. 

What profit is there in agreeing that universal friend- 
ship is good, and talking of the Solidarity of the Human 
Race as a grand ideal ? Unless these thoughts are trans- 
lated into the world of action, they are useless. 

The wrong in the world continues to exist just because 
people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put 
them into practice. If actions took the place of words, 
the world's misery would very soon be changed into 
comfort. 

A man who does great good, and talks not of it, is on 
the way to perfection. 

The man who has accomplished a small good and 
magnifies it in his speech is worth very little. 

If I love you, I need not continually speak of my 
love you will know without any words. On the other 
hand if I love you not, that also will you know and you 



POWER OF TRUE THOUGHT 13 

would not believe me, were I to tell you in a thousand 
words, that I loved you. 

People make much profession of goodness, multiplying 
fine words because they wish to be thought greater and 
better than their fellows, seeking fame in the eyes of 
the world. Those who do most good use fewest words 
concerning their actions. 

The children of God do the works without boasting, 
obeying His laws. 

My hope for you is that you will ever avoid tyranny 
and oppression ; that you will work without ceasing 
till Justice reigns in every land, that you will keep your 
hearts pure and your hands free from unrighteousness. 

This is what the near approach to God requires from 
you, and this is what I expect of you. 



THE POWER AND VALUE OF TRUE THOUGHT DEPENDS 
UPON ITS MANIFESTATION IN ACTION 

October i8th. 

THHE Reality of man is his thought, not his material 
* body. The thought force and the animal force are 
partners. Although man is part of the animal creation, 
he possesses a power of thought superior to all other 
created beings. 

If a man's thought is constantly aspiring towards 
heavenly subjects then does he become saintly; if 
on the other hand his thought does not soar, but is 
directed downwards to centre itself upon the things of 
this world, he grows more and more material until he 
arrives at a state little better than that of a mere animal. 



14 POWER OF TRUE THOUGHT 

Thoughts may be divided into two classes : 

(ist) Thought that belongs to the world of thought 
alone. 

(2nd) Thought that expresses itself in action. 

Some men and women glory in their exalted thoughts, 
but, if these thoughts never reach the plane of action 
they remain useless : the power of thought is dependent 
on its manifestation in deeds. A Philosopher's thought 
may, however, in the world of progress and evolution, 
translate itself into the actions of other people, even 
when they themselves are unable or unwilling to show 
forth their grand ideals in their own lives. To this 
class the majority of Philosophers belong, their teachings 
being high above their actions. This is the difference 
between Philosophers who are spiritual teachers, and 
those who are mere Philosophers : the Spiritual Teacher 
is the first to follow his own teaching ; he brings down 
into the world of action his spiritual conceptions and 
ideals. His Divine thoughts are made manifest to the 
world. His thought is himself, from which he is insepar- 
able. When we find a Philosopher emphasising the 
importance and grandeur of Justice, and then encourag- 
ing a rapacious monarch in his oppression and tyranny, 
we quickly realise that he belongs to the first class : for 
he thinks heavenly thoughts and does not practise the 
corresponding heavenly virtues. 

This state is impossible with Spiritual Philosophers, 
for they ever express their high and noble thoughts in 
actions. 



THE GREAT PHYSICIAN 15 



GOD IS THE GREAT COMPASSIONATE PHYSICIAN WHO 
ALONE GIVES TRUE HEALING 

October igth, 

A LL true healing comes from God 1 There are two 
^ causes for sickness, one is material, the other 
spiritual. If the sickness is of the body, a material 
remedy is needed, if of the soul, a spiritual remedy 

If the Heavenly Benediction be upon us while we are 
being healed then only can we be made whole, for medi- 
cine is but the outward and visible means through which 
we obtain the Heavenly healing. Unless the spirit be 
healed, the cure of the body is worth nothing. All is in 
the hands of God, and without Him there can be no 
health in us 1 

There have been many men who have died at last of 
the very disease of which they have made a special 
study. Aristotle, for instance, who made a special 
study of the digestion, died of a gastronomic malady* 
Aviseu was a specialist of the heart, but he died of 
heart disease. God is the great compassionate Physician 
who alone has the power to give true healing. 

All creatures are dependent upon God, however 
great may seem their knowledge, power and inde- 
pendence. 

Behold the mighty kings upon earth, for they have 
all the power in the world that man can give them, and 
yet when Death calls they must obey, even as the 
peasants at their gates. 

Look also at the animals, how helpless they are in their 



i6 THE GREAT PHYSICIAN 

apparent strength I For the elephant, the largest of all 
animals, is troubled by the fly, and the lion cannot escape 
the irritation of the worm. Even man, the highest 
form of created beings, needs many things for his very 
life : first of all he needs air, and if he is deprived of 
it for a few minutes, he dies. He is also dependent on 
water, food, clothing, warmth, and many other things. 
On all sides he is surrounded by dangers and difficulties, 
against which his physical body alone cannot cope. If 
a man looks at the world around him, he will see how all 
created things are dependent and are captive to the 
laws of Nature. 

Man alone, by his spiritual power has been able to 
free himself, to soar above the world of matter and to 
make it his servant. 

Without the help of God man is even as the beasts 
that perish, but God has bestowed such wonderful power 
upon him that he might ever look upward, and receive, 
among other gifts, healing from His Divine Bounty. 

But alas I man is not grateful for this supreme good, 
but sleeps the sleep of negligence, being careless of the 
great Mercy which God has shown towards him, turning 
his face away from the Light and going on his way hi 
darkness. 

It is my earnest prayer, that ye be not like unto this, 
but rather that ye keep your faces steadfastly turned to 
the Light, so that ye may be as lighted torches in the 
dark places of life. 



UNION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST 17 

THE NEED FOR UNION BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF THE 
EAST AND WEST 

, T^TTT TSATTA -j Friday, October 20th. 

A BDUL B AHA said : J 

^* In the past, as in the present, the Spiritual Sun of 
Truth has always shone from the horizon of the East. 

Abraham appeared in the East. In the East Moses 
arose to lead and teach the people. On the Eastern 
horizon arose the Lord Christ. Mahommed was sent 
to an Eastern nation. The Bab arose in the Eastern 
Land of Persia. Baha Vllah lived and taught in the East. 

All the Great Spiritual Teachers arose in the Eastern 
World. But although the Sun of Christ dawned in 
the East the Radiance thereof was apparent in the West, 
where the effulgence of its Glory was more clearly seen. 
The Divine Light of His Teaching shone with a greater 
force in the Western World, where it has made a more 
rapid headway than in the land of its birth. 

In these days the East is in need of material progress 
and the West is in want of a spiritual ideal. It would be 
well for the West to turn to the East for illumination, 
and to give in exchange its scientific knowledge. There 
must be this interchange of gifts. 

The East and the West must unite to give to each 
other what is lacking. This Union will bring about a 
true civilization, where the spiritual is expressed and 
carried out in thejnaterial. 

Receiving thus the one from the other the greatest 
harmony will prevail, all people will be united, a state 
of great perfection will be attained, there will be a firm 
cementing, and this World will become a shining mirror 
for the reflection of the Attributes of God. 



i8 GOD COMPREHENDS ALL 

We all, the Eastern with the Western nations, must 
strive day and night with heart and soul to achieve 
this high Ideal, to cement the Unity between all the 
Nations of the Earth. Every heart will then be 
refreshed, all eyes will be opened, the most wonderful 
power will be given, the happiness of humanity will be 
assured. 

We must pray that by the Bounty of God Persia will 
be enabled to receive the material and mental civili- 
zation of the West, and by Divine Grace to give in return 
her Spiritual Light. The devoted energetic work of the 
United Peoples, Occidentals and Orientals, will succeed 
in establishing this result, for the force of the Holy 
Spirit will aid them. 

The Principles of the Teachings of Baha'u'llah should 
be carefully studied, one by one, until they are realized 
and understood by mind and heart so will you become 
strong followers of the Light, truly spiritual, heavenly 
soldiers of God, acquiring and spreading the true civili- 
zation in Persia, in Europe, and in the whole world. 

This will be the Paradise which is to come on earth, 
when all mankind will be gathered together under the 
Tent of Unity in the Kingdom of Glory. 

GOD COMPREHENDS ALL I HE CANNOT BE 
COMPREHENDED 

Friday evening, October 20th. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

** Numerous meetings are held in Paris every day 
for different purposes, to discuss Politics, Commerce, 
Education, Art, Science and many other subjects. 



GOD COMPREHENDS ALL 19 

All tKese meetings are good : but this assembly has 
met together to turn their faces towards God, to learn 
how best to work for the good of humanity, to seek how 
prejudices may be abolished, and the seed of Love and 
Universal Brotherhood sown in the heart of man. 

God approves of the motive of our gathering together 
and gives us His blessing. 

In the Old Testament we read that God said " Let us 
make man in our Own Image/' In the Gospel, Christ 
said, " I am in the Father, and the Father in Me. 1 ' 1 
In the Quran, God says, " Man is my Mystery and I am 
his." Baha'u'llah writes that God says, " Thy heart 
is My Home, purify it for My Descent/' " Thy spirit 
is My Outlook, prepare it for My Manifestation/' 

All these sacred words show us that Man is made in 
God's Image : yet the Essence of God is incompre- 
hensible to the human mind, for the finite understand- 
ing cannot be applied to this Infinite Mystery. God 
contains all : He cannot be contained. That which 
contains is superior to that which is contained. The 
whole is greater than its parts. 

Things which are understood by men cannot be out- 
side their capacity for understanding, so that it is 
impossible for the heart of man to comprehend the 
nature of the Majesty of God. Our imagination can 
only picture that which it is able to create. 

The power of ihe understanding differs in degree in 
the various kingdoms of creation. The mineral, vege- 
table, and animal realms are each incapable of under- 
standing any creation beyond their own. The mineral 
cannot imagine the growing power of the plant. The 
1 St. John xiv., n. 



20 GOD COMPREHENDS ALL 

tree cannot understand the power of movement in the 
animal, neither can it comprehend what it would mean 
to possess sight, hearing or the sense of smell. These 
all belong to the physical creation. 

Man also shares in this creation ; but it is not possible 
for either of the lower kingdoms to understand that 
which takes place in the mind of man. The animal 
cannot realise the intelligence of a human being, he 
only knows that which is perceived by his animal senses, 
he cannot imagine anything in the abstract. An animal 
could not learn that the world is round,that the Earth 
revolves round the Sun, or the construction of the 
electric telegraph. These Things are only possible to 
Man. Man is the highest work of creation, the nearest 
to God of all creatures. 

All superior kingdoms are incomprehensible to the 
inferior ; how therefore could it be possible that the 
creature, Man, should understand the Almighty Creator 
of all ? 

That which we imagine, is not the Reality of God ; 
He, the Unknowable, the Unthinkable, is far beyond 
the highest conception of Man. 

All creatures that exist are dependent upon the 
Divine Bounty. Divine Mercy gives Life itself. As the 
light of the sun shines on the whole world, so the Mercy 
of the infinite God is shed on all creatures. As the sun 
ripens the fruits of the earth, and gives life and warmth 
to all living beings, so shines the Sun of Truth on all 
souls, filling them with the fire of Divine Love and 
understanding. 

The Superiority of Man over the rest of the created 
world is seen again in this, that Man has a soul in which 



GOD COMPREHENDS ALL 21 

dwells the Divine Spirit ; the souls of the lower creatures 
areinferior in their essence. 

There is no doubt then, that of all created beings 
Man is the nearest to the Nature of God, and therefore 
receives a greater gift of the Divine Bounty. 

The mineral kingdom possesses the power of existing. 
The plant has the power of existing and growing. The 
animal, in addition to existence and growth, has the 
capacity of moving about, and the use of the faculties 
of the senses. In the human kingdom we find all the 
attributes of the lower worlds, with much more added 
thereto. Man is the sum of every previous creation, 
for he contains them all. 

To man is given the special gift of the Intellect by 
which he is able to receive a larger share of the Light 
Divine. The Perfect Man is as a polished mirror 
reflecting the Sun of Truth, manifesting the Attributes 
of God. 

The Lord Christ said, " He that hath seen Me hath 
seen the Father " God manifested in Man. 

The Sun does not leave his place in the heavens and 
descend into the mirror, for the actions of ascent and 
descent, coming and going, do not belong to the Infinite, 
they are the methods of finite beings. In the Mani- 
festation of God, the perfectly polished mirror, appear 
the qualities of the Divine in a form that man is capable 
of comprehending. 

This is so simple that all can understand it, and that 
which we are able to understand we must perforce 
accept. 

Our Father will not hold us responsible for the re- 
jection of dogmas which we are unable either to believe 



22 GOD COMPREHENDS ALL 

or comprehend, for He is ever infinitely just to His 
children. 

This example is however so logical, that it can easily 
be grasped by ail minds willing to give it their con- 
sideration. 

May each one of you become a shining lamp, of which 
the flame is the Love of God. May your hearts burn 
with the Radiance of Unity. May your eyes be illumined 
with the effulgence of the Sun of Truth ! 

The city of Paris is very beautiful, a more civilized 
and well-appointed town in al) material development 
it would be impossible to find in the present world. But 
the spiritual Light has not shone upon her for a long time : 
her spiritual progress is far behind that of her material 
civilization. A supreme power is needed to awaken her 
to the Reality of Spiritual Truth, to breathe the Breath 
of Life into her dormant soul. You must all unite in 
this work of arousing her, in reanimating her people 
by the help of that Superior Force. 

When an illness is slight a small remedy will suffice 
to heal it, but when the slight illness becomes a terrible 
disease, then a very strong remedy must be used by the 
Divine Healer. There are some trees that blossom 
and bear fruit in a cool climate, others there are which 
need the hottest rays of the sun to bring them to perfect 
maturity. Paris is one of those trees for whose spiritual 
unfoldment a great flaming Sun of the Divine Power 
of God is needed. 

I ask you all, each one of you, to follow well the 
Light of Truth in the Holy Teachings, and God will 
strengthen you by His Holy Spirit so that you will be 
enabled to overcome the difficulties, and to destroy 



PITIFUL CAUSES OF WAR 23 

the prejudices which cause separation and hatred 
amongst the people. Let your hearts be filled with the 
Great Love of God, let it be felt by all ; for every man is a 
servant of God, and all are entitled to a share of the 
Divine Bounty. 

Especially to those whose thoughts are material 
and retrograde show the utmost love and patience, 
thereby winning them into the Unity of fellowship by 
the radiance of your kindness. 

If you are faithful to your Great Work, following the 
Holy Sun of Truth without swerving, then will the 
Blessed Day of Universal Brotherhood dawn on this 
beautiful city. 



THE PITIFUL CAUSES OF WAR, AND THE DUTY OF 
EVERYONE TO STRIVE FOR PEACE 

October 2 1st. 

A BDUL BAHA said : 

^^ I hope you are all happy and well. I am not happy, 
but very sad. The news of the Battle of Benghazi 
grieves my heart. I wonder at the human savagery 
that still exists in the world ! How is it possible for 
men to fight from morning until evening, killing each 
other, shedding the blood of their fellow-men ! And for 
what object ? To gain possession of a part of the 
earth ! Even the animals, when they fight, have an 
immediate and more reasonable cause for their attacks ! 
How terrible it is that men, who are of the higher king- 
dom, can descend to slaying and bringing misery to their 
fellow-beings, for the possession of a tract of land ! 
The highest of created beings fighting to obtain the 



24 PITIFUL CAUSES OF WAR 

lowest form of matter, earth ! Land belongs not to 
one people, but to all people. This earth is not man's 
home, but his tomb. It is for their tombs these men are 
fighting. There is nothing so horrible in this world as 
the tomb, the abode of the decaying bodies of men. 

However great the Conqueror, however many countries 
he may reduce to slavery, he is unable to retain any part 
of these devastated lands but one tiny portion his 
tomb ! If more land is required for the improvement 
of the condition of the people, for the spread of civiliza- 
tion (for the substitution of just laws for brutal customs) 
surely it would be possible to acquire peaceably the 
necessary extension of territory. 

But War is made for the satisfaction of men's ambi- 
tion ; for the sake of worldly gain to the few terrible 
misery is brought to numberless homes, breaking the 
hearts of hundreds of men and women ! 

How many widows mourn their husbands, how many 
stories of savage cruelty do we hear ! How many little 
orphaned children are crying for their dead fathers, 
how many women are weeping for their slain sons ! 

There is nothing so heart-breaking and terrible as an 
outburst of human savagery ! 

I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all 
the thoughts of your heart on Love and Unity. When a 
thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of 
Peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a 
more powerful thought of Love. Thoughts of War bring 
destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and 
content. 

Thoughts of Love are constructive of Brotherhood, 
peace, friendship, and happiness. 



PITIFUL CAUSES OF WAR 25 

When soldiers of the world draw their swords to kill, 
soldiers of God clasp each other's hands 1 So may all 
the savagery of man disappear by the Mercy of God, 
working through the pure in heart and the sincere of 
soul. Do not think the Peace of the world an Ideal 
impossible to attain ! 

Nothing is impossible to the Divine Benevolence of God. 

If you desire with all your heart friendship with every 
race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will 
spread ; it will become the desire of others, growing 
stronger and stronger, until it reaches the minds of all 
men. 

Do not despair ! Work steadily. Sincerity and 
Love will conquer Hate. How many seemingly im- 
possible events are coming to pass in these days ! Set 
your faces steadily towards the Light of the World. 
Show Love to all, " Love is the Breath of the Holy 
Spirit in the heart of Man . ' ' Take courage I God never 
forsakes His children who strive and work and pray ! 
Let your hearts be filled with the strenuous desire that 
tranquillity and harmony may encircle all this warring 
world. So will success crown your efforts, and with the 
Universal Brotherhood will come the Kingdom of God 
in Peace and Goodwill. 

In this room to-day are members of many races, 
French, American, English, German, Italian brothers 
and sisters, meeting in friendship and harmony 1 Let 
this gathering be a foreshadowing of what will, in very 
truth, take place in this world, when every child of God 
realizes that they are leaves of one tree, flowers in one 
garden, drops in one ocean, and sons and daughters of 
one Father, whose name is Love ! 



26 THE SUN OF TRUTH 



THE SUN OF TRUTH 

October 22nd. 

A BDUL BAHA said : 

"^^ It is a lovely day, the sun shines brightly upon the 
earth, giving light and warmth to all creatures. The Sun 
of Truth is also shining, giving light and warmth to the 
souls of men. The sun is the life-giver to the physical 
bodies of all creatures upon earth ; without its warmth 
their growth would be stunted, their development 
would be arrested, they would decay and die. Even 
so do the souls of men need the Sun of Tr ath to shed 
Its rays upon their souls, to develop them, to educate 
and encourage them. As the sun is to the body of a man, 
so is the Sun of Truth to his soul. 

A man may have attained to a high degree of material 
progress, but without the Light of Truth his soul is 
stunted and starved. Another man may have no 
material gifts, may be at the bottom of the social ladder, 
but, having received the warmth of the Sun of Truth his 
soul is great and his Spiritual understanding is enligh- 
tened. 

A Greek Philosopher living in the days of the youth of 
Christianity, being full of the Christian element, though 
not a professing Christian, wrote thus : " It is my be- 
lief that Religion is the very foundation of true civiliza- 
tion." For, unless the moral character of a nation is 
educated, as well as its brain and its talents, civiliza- 
tion has no sure basis. 

As Religion inculcates morality, it is therefore the 
truest philosophy, and on it is built the only lasting 
civilization. As an example of this, he points out the 



THE SUN OF TRUTH 27 

Christians of the time whose morality was on a very 
high level. The belief of this Philosopher conforms to 
the Truth, for the civilization of Christianity was the 
best and most enlightened in the world. The Christian 
Teaching was illumined by the Divine Sun of Truth, 
therefore its followers were taught to love all men as 
brothers, to fear nothing, not even death / To love 
their neighbours as themselves, and to forget their own 
selfish interests in striving for the greater good of human- 
ity. The grand aim of the Religion of Christ was to 
draw the hearts of all men nearer to God's effulgent 
Truth. 

If the followers of the Lord Christ had continued to 
follow out these principles with steadfast faithfulness, 
there would have been no need for a renewal of the 
Christian Message, no necessity for a re-awakening of 
His people, for a great and glorious civilization would now 
be ruling the world and the Kingdom of Heaven would 
have come on earth. 

But instead of this, what has taken place ? Men 
turned away their faces from following the Divinely 
illuminated precepts of their Master, and winter fell 
upon the hearts of men. For, as the body of man de- 
pends, for life, upon the rays of the Sun, so cannot the 
Celestial Virtues grow in the soul without the radiance 
of the Sun of Truth. 

God leaves not His children comfortless, but, when the 
darkness of winter overshadows them, then again He 
sends His Messengers, the Prophets, with a renewal of the 
Blessed Spring. The Sun of Truth appears again on 
the horizon of the world shining into the eyes of those who 
sleep, awaking them to behold the glory of a new Dawn. 



28 THE LIGHT OF TRUTH 

Then again will the Tree of Humanity blossom and bring 
forth the fruit of Righteousness for the healing of the 
nations. Because Man has stopped his ears to the Voice 
of Truth and shut his eyes to the Sacred Light, neglecting 
the Law of God, for this reason has the darkness of war 
and tumult, unrest and misery, desolated the earth. I 
pray that you will all strive to bring each child of God 
into the radiance of the Sun of Truth, that the darkness 
may be dissipated by the penetrating rays of Its glory, 
and the winter's hardness and cold may be melted away 
by the merciful warmth of Its shining. 

THE LIGHT OF TRUTH IS NOW SHINING UPON THE 
EAST AND WEST 

Monday, October zyrd. 

XT7HEN a man has found the joy of life in one place, 
he returns to that same spot to find more joy. 
When a man has found gold in a mine, he returns again 
to that mine to dig for more gold. 

This shows the internal force and natural instinct 
which God .has given to Man, and the power of vital 
energy which is born in him. 

The West has always received Spiritual enlightenment 
from the East. The Song of the Kingdom is first heard 
in the East, but in the West the greater volume of sound 
bursts upon the listening ears. 

The Lord Christ arose as a bright Star in the Eastern 
sky, but the Light of His Teaching shone more per- 
fectly in the West, where His influence has taken root 
more firmly and His Cause has spread to a greater de- 
gree than in the land of His birth. 



THE LIGHT OF TRUTH 29 

The sound of the Song of Christ has echoed over all the 
lands of the Western World and entered the hearts of 
its people. 

The people of the West are firm, and the foundations 
on which they build are of rock ; they are steadfast, and 
do not easily forget. 

The West is like a strong sturdy plant ; when the 
rain falls gently upon it to give it nourishment and the 
sun shines upon it, then does it blossom in due time and 
bring forth good fruit. It is a long time since the Sun 
of Truth mirrored forth by the Lord Christ has shed Its 
radiance upon the West, for the Face of God has been 
veiled by the sin and forgetfulness of man. But now 
again, praise be to God, the Holy Spirit speaks anew to 
the world ! The constellation of Love and Wisdom and 
Power is once more shining from the Divine Horizon to 
give joy to all who turn their faces to the Light of God. 
Baha Vllah has rent the veil of prejudice and superstition 
which was stifling the souls of men. Let us pray to God 
that the Breath of the Holy Spirit may again give hope 
and refreshment to the people, awakening in them a 
desire to do the Will of God. May heart and soul be 
vivified in every man : so will they all rejoice in a New 
Birth I 

Then shall humanity put on a new garment in the 
radiance of the Love of God, and it shall be the Dawn of 
a New Creation 1 Then will the Mercy of the Most 
Merciful be showered upon all Mankind and they will 
arise to a New Life. 

My earnest desire is that you will all strive and work 
for tiiis glorious end ; that you will be faithful and loving 
workers in the building of the New Spiritual Civilization ; 



30 THE UNIVERSAL LOVE 

the elect of God, in willing joyful obedience carrying out 
His supreme design ! Success is truly near at hand, for 
the Flag of Divinity has been raised aloft, and the Sun 
of the Righteousness of God appeareth upon the horizon 
in the sight of all men ! 



THE UNIVERSAL LOVE 

October 

A N Indian said to Abdul Baha : 
^ " My aim in life is to transmit as far as in me lies 
the Message of Krishna to the world." 

Abdul Baha said : The Message of Krishna is the 
message of Love. All God's prophets have brought the 
message of Love. None have ever thought that War 
and Hate are good. Every one agrees in saying that 
Love and Kindness are best. 

Love manifests its reality in deeds, not only in ,words 
these alone are without effect. In order that Love 
may manifest its power there must be an object, an 
instrument, a motive 1 

There are many ways of expressing the Love principle ; 
there is Love for the family, for the country, for the 
race, there is political enthusiasm, there is also the 
love of community of interest in service. These are all 
ways and means of showing the power of Love. With- 
out any such means, Love would be unseen, unheard, 
unfelt altogether unexpressed, unmanifested 1 Water 
shows its power in various ways, in quenching thirst, 
causing seed to grow, etc. Coal expresses one of its 
principles in gas-light, while one of the powers of elec- 
tricity is shown in the electric light. If there were 



THE UNIVERSAL LOVE 31 

neither gas nor electricity, the nights of the world 
would be darkness ! So, it is necessary to have an 
instrument, a motive for Love's manifestation, an object, 
a mode of expression. 

We must find a way of spreading Love among the sons 
of Humanity. 

Love is unlimited, boundless, infinite f Material 
things are limited, circumscribed, finite. You cannot 
adequately express infinite Love by limited means. 

The Perfect Love needs an unselfish instrument, 
absolutely freed from fetters of every kind. The love of 
family is limited ; the tie of blood relationship is not 
the strongest bond. Frequently members of the same 
family disagree, and even hate each other. 

Patriotic Love is finite ; the love of one's country 
causing hatred of all others, is not perfect love ! Com- 
patriots also are not free from quarrels amongst them- 
selves. 

The Love of Race is limited ; there is some union 
here, but that is insufficient. Love must be free from 
boundaries ! 

To love our own race may mean hatred of all others, 
and even people of the same race often dislike each other. 

Political love also is much bound up with hatred of one 
party for another ; this Love is very limited and un- 
certain. 

The Love of Community of Interest in service is like- 
wise fluctuating ; frequently competitions arise, which 
lead to jealousy, and at length hatred replaces Love. 

A few years ago, Turkey and Italy had a friendly 
political understanding ; now they are at war ! 

All these ties of Love are imperfect. It is clear that 



32 THE UNIVERSAL LOVE 

limited material ties, are insufficient to adequately 
express the Universal Love. 

The great unselfish Love for Humanity is bounded by 
none of these imperfect, semi-selfish bonds ; this is the 
one perfect Love, possible to all mankind, and can only 
be achieved by the Power of the Divine Spirit. No 
worldly power can accomplish the Universal Love. 

Let all be united in this Divine Power of Love ! 
Let all strive to grow in the Light of the Sun of Truth, 
and reflecting this luminous Love on all men, may their 
hearts become so united that they may dwell evermore 
in the radiance of the limitless Love. 

Remember these words which I speak unto you, during 
the short time I am amongst you in Paris. I earnestly 
exhort you : let not your hearts be fettered by the 
material things of this world ; I charge you not to lie 
contentedly on the beds of negligence, prisoners of 
matter, but to arise and free yourselves from its chains ! 

The animal creation is captive to matter, God has 
given freedom to Man. The animal cannot escape the 
law of Nature, whereas man may control it, for he, 
containing nature, can rise above it. 

The Power of the Holy Spirit, enlightening man's 
intelligence, has enabled him to discover means of bend- 
ing many natural laws to his will. He flies through the 
air, floats on the sea, and even moves under the waters. 

All this proves how man's Intelligence has been 
enabled to free him from the limitations of Nature, and 
to solve many of her mysteries. Man, to a certain ex- 
tent, has broken the chains of matter. 

The Holy Spirit will give to man greater powers 
than these, if only he will strive after the things of the 



THE UNIVERSAL LOVE 33 

Spirit, and endeavour to attune his heart to the Divine 
Infinite Love. 

When you love a member of your family or a com- 
patriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love ! Let 
it be in God, and for God ! Wherever you find the 
Attributes of God love that person, whether he be of 
your family or of another. Shed the Light of a bound- 
less love on every human being whom you meet, whether 
of your country, your race, your political party, or 
of any other nation, colour or shade of political opinion. 
Heaven will support you while you work in this in- 
gathering of the scattered peoples of the world beneath 
the shadow of the Almighty Tent of Unity. 

You will be the servants of God, who are dwelling 
near to Him, His divine helpers in the service, minister- 
ing to all Humanity. All Humanity ! Every human 
being ! never for get this ! 

Do not say, he is an Italian, or a Frenchman, or an 
American, or an Englishman, remember only that he is 
a son of God, a servant of the Most High, a man I all 
are men ! Forget nationalities ; all are equal in the sight 
of God I 

Remember not your own limitations ; the help of 
God will come to you. Forget yourself. God's help 
will surely come ! 

When you call on the Mercy of God waiting to rein- 
force you, your strength will be tenfold. 

Look at me : I am so feeble, yet I have had the 
strength given me to come amongst you : a poor servant 
of God, who has been enabled to give you this message 1 
I shall not be with you long I One must never consider 
one's own feebleness, it is the Strength of the Holy 
c 



34 IMPRISONMENT 

Spirit of Love, which gives the power to tea'ch. The 
thought of our own weakness could only bring despair. 
We must look higher than all earthly thoughts ; detach 
ourselves from every material idea, crave for the things 
of the spirit ; fix our eyes on the everlasting bountiful 
Mercy of the Almighty, who will fill our souls with the 
gladness of joyful service to His command " Love One 
Another/ 1 



THE IMPRISONMENT OF ABDUL BAHA 

4, Avenue de Camoens, 

Wednesday, October 2$th. 

T REGRET much that I have kept you waiting this 
* morning, but I have so much to do in a short time 
for the Cause of the Love of God. 

You will not mind having waited a little to see me. 
I have waited years and years in prison, that I might 
come to see you now. 

Above all, God be praised, our hearts are always in 
unison, and with one aim are drawn to the Love of God. 
By the Bounty of the Kingdom our desires, our hearts, 
our spirits, are they not united in one bond ? Our 
prayers, are they not for the gathering together of all 
men in harmony? Therefore are we not always to- 
gether ? 

Yesterday evening when I came home from the house 
of Monsieur Dreyfus I was very tired yet I did not 
sleep, I lay awake thinking. 

I said, O God, Here am I in Paris I What is Paris and 
who am I ? Never did I dream that from the darkness 



IMPRISONMENT 35 

of my prison I should ever be able to come to you, 
though when they read me my sentence I did not 
believe in it. 

They told me that Abdul Hamid had ordered my ever- 
lasting imprisonment, and I said, " This is impossible ! 
I shall not always be a prisoner. If Abdul Hamid were 
immortal, such a sentence might possibly be carried 
out. It is certain that one day I shall be free. My 
body may be captive for a time, but Abdul Hamid has 
no power over my spirit free it must remain that can 
no man imprison." 

Released from my prison by the Power of God I meet 
here the friends of God, and I am thankful unto Him. 

Let us spread the Cause of God, for which I suffered 
persecution. 

What a privilege it is for us to meet here in freedom. 
How happy for us that God has so decided that we may 
work together for the coming of the Kingdom ! 

Are you pleased to receive such a guest, freed from 
his prison to bring the glorious Message to you ? He 
who never could have thought such a meeting possible ! 
Now by the Grace of God, by His wonderful Power, I, 
who was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in a 
far off town of the East, am here in Paris talking with 
you ! 

Henceforward we shall always be together, heart and 
soul and spirit, pressing forward in the work till all men 
are gathered together under the Tent of the Kingdom, 
singing the songs of Peace. 



36 GOD'S GREATEST GIFT 



G 



GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO MAN 

Thursday, October 26th. 

CD'S greatest gift to man is that of Intellect, or 
Understanding. 

The Understanding is the power by which Man 
acquires his knowledge of the several Kingdoms of 
Creation, and of various stages of existence, as well as 
of much which is invisible. 

Possessing this gift, he is, in himself, the sum of 
earlier creations he is able to get into touch with those 
kingdoms ; and by this gift, he can frequently, through- 
his scientific knowledge, reach out with prophetic vision. 

Intellect is, in truth, the most precious gift bestowed 
upon man by the Divine Bounty. Man alone, 'among 
created beings, has this wonderful power. 

All creation, preceding Man, is bound by the' stern 
Law of Nature. The great sun, the multitudes of stars, 
the oceans and seas, the mountains, the rivers, the 
trees, and all animals, great or small none arc able to 
evade obedience to Nature's Law. 

Man alone has freedom, and, by his understanding 
or intellect, has been able to gain control of and adapt 
some of those natural Laws to his own needs. By the 
power of his intellect he has discovered means by which 
he not only traverses great continents in express trains 
and crosses vast oceans in ships, but, like the fish, 
he travels under water in submarines, and, imitating the 
birds, he flies through the air in airships. 

Man has succeeded in using electricity in several ways 
for light, for motive power, for sending messages 



GOD'S GREATEST GIFT 37 

from one end of the earth to the other and by electricity 
he can even hear a voice many miles away ! 

By this gift of understanding or intellect, he has also 
been able to use the rays of the sun to picture people 
and things, and even to capture the form of distant 
heavenly bodies. 

We perceive in what numerous ways Man has been 
able to bend the powers of Nature to his will. 

How grievous it is to see how Man has used this God- 
given gift to frame instruments of war, for breaking 
the Commandment of God " Thou shalt not kill/' and 
for defying Christ's injunction to " Love one another." 

God gave this power to man that it might be used 
for the advancement of civilization, for the good of 
humanity, to increase Love and Concord and Peace. 
But man prefers to use this gift to destroy instead of 
to build, for injustice and oppression, for hatred and 
discord and devastation, for the destruction of his 
fellow-creatures, whom Christ has commanded that he 
should love as himself I 

I hope that you will use your understanding to pro- 
mote the Unity and tranquillity of Mankind, to give 
enlightenment and civilization to the people, to produce 
Love in all around you, and to bring about the Universal 
Peace. 

Study the sciences, acquire more and more knowledge. 
Assuredly one may learn to the end of one's life ! Use 
your knowledge always for the benefit of others ; so 
may war cease from off the face of this beautiful earth, 
and a glorious edifice of Peace and Concord be raised. 
Strive that your high ideals may be realized in the 
Kingdom of God on Earth, as they will be in Heaven. 



38 CLOUDS 



THE CLOUDS THAT OBSCURE THE SUN OF TRUTH 

4, Avenue de Camoens, 

Morning of Friday, October 27th. 

'T'HE day is fine, the air is pure, the sun shines, no 
* mist nor cloud obscures its radiance. 

These brilliant rays penetrate into all parts of the city ; 
so may the Sun of Truth illumine the minds of men. 

Christ said, " They shall see the Son of Man coming 
in the clouds of Heaven/' l Baha'u'llah said, " When 
Christ came for the first time He came upon the clouds/' 2 
Christ said that He had come from the sky, from Heaven 
that He came forth from God while He was born 
of Mary His Mother. But when He declared that He 
had come from Heaven, it is clear that He did not mean 
the blue firmament but that He spoke of the Heaven 
of the Kingdom of God, and that from this Heaven He 
descended upon the clouds. As clouds are obstacles 
to the shining of the sun, so the clouds of the world of 
humanity hid from the eyes of men the radiance of the 
Divinity of Christ. 

Men said, "He is of Nazareth, born of Mary, we 
know Him and we know His brethren. What can He 
mean ? What is He saying ? That He came forth 
from God ? " 

The Body of Christ was born of Mary of Nazareth, but 
the Spirit was of God. The capacities of His human 
body were limited but the strength of His spirit was 
vast, infinite, immeasurable. 

1 St. John iii., 13. 
* St. Matthew xxiv., 30. St. Matthew xvi., 27. 



CLOUDS 39 

Men asked, " Why does He say He is of God ? " 
If they had understood the Reality of Christ, they would 
have known that the Body of His humanity was a 
cloud that hid His Divinity. The world only saw His 
human form, and therefore wondered how He could 
have " come down from Heaven." 

Baha'u'llah said, " Even as the clouds hide the sun 
and the sky from our gaze, even so did the humanity of 
Christ hide from men His real Divine character." 

I hope that you will turn with unclouded eyes towards 
the Sun of Truth, beholding not the things of earth, 
lest your hearts be attracted to the worthless and passing 
pleasures of the world ; let that Sun give you of His 
strength, then will not the clouds of prejudice veil His 
illumination from your eyes I Then will the Sun be 
without clouds for you. 

Breathe the air of purity. May you each and all share 
in the Divine Bounties of the Kingdom of Heaven. 
May the world be for you no obstacle hiding the truth 
from your sight, as the human body of Christ hid His 
Divinity from the people of His day. May you receive 
the clear vision of the Holy Spirit, so that your hearts 
may be illumined and able to recognise the Sun of 
Truth shining through all material clouds, His splendour 
flooding the Universe. 

Let not the things of the body obscure the celestial 
light of the Spirit, so that, by the Divine Bounty, you 
may enter with the children of God into His Eternal 
Kingdom. 

This is my prayer for you all. 



40 RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES 

RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES 

October 2jth. 

TPHE basis of the teaching of Baha Vllah is the Unity 
A of Mankind, and his greatest desire was that love 
and goodwill should live in the heart of men. 

As he exhorted the people to do away with strife 
and discord, so I wish to explain to you the principal 
reason of the unrest among nations. The chief cause 
is the misrepresentation of Religion by the religious 
Leaders and teachers. They teach their followers to 
believe that their own form of Religion is the only one 
pleasing to God, and that followers of any other persua- 
sion are condemned by the All-Loving Father and 
deprived of His Mercy and Grace. Hence arise among 
the peoples, disapproval, contempt, disputes and hatred. 
If these religious prejudices could be swept away, the 
nations would soon enjoy peace and concord. 

I was once at Tiberias where the Jews have a Temple. 
I was staying in a house just opposite the Temple, and 
there I saw and heard a Rabbi speaking to his congre- 
gation of Jews, and he spoke thus : 

" O Jews, you are in truth the people of God 1 All 
other races and religions are of the devil. God has 
created you the descendants of Abraham, and He has 
showered His blessings upon you. Unto you God sent 
Moses, Jacob and Joseph, and many other great pro- 
phets. These prophets, one and all, were of your race. 

" It was for you that God broke the power of Pharoah 
and caused the Red Sea to dry up ; to you also He sent 
Manna from above to be your food, and out of the stony 
rock did He give you water to quench your thirst. You 



RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES 4* 

are indeed the chosen people of God, you are above all 
the races of the earth 1 Therefore, all other races are 
abhorrent to God, and condemned by Him. In truth 
you will govern and subdue the world, and all men shall 
become your slaves. 

" Do not profane yourselves by consorting with people 
who are not of your own religion, make not friends of 
such men." 

When the Rabbi had finished his eloquent discourse, 
his hearers were filled with joy and satisfaction. It 
is impossible to describe to you their happiness ! 

Alas ! It is misguided ones like these who are the 
cause of division and hatred upon earth. To-day there 
are millions of people who still worship idols, and the 
great Religions of the world are at war among themselves. 
For 1,300 years, Christians and Mussulmans have been 
quarrelling, when with very little effort their differences 
and disputes could be overcome, and peace and har- 
mony could exist between them and the world could be 
at rest ! 

In the Quran we read that Mohammed spoke to his 
followers, saying : 

" Why do you not believe in Christ, and in the Gospel ? 
Why will you not accept Moses and the Prophets, for 
surely the Bible is the Book of God ? In truth, Moses 
was a sublime Prophet, and Jesus was filled with the 
Holy Spirit. He came to the world through the Power 
of God, born of the Holy Spirit and of the blessed Virgin 
Mary. Mary, His mother, was a saint from Heaven. 
She passed her days in the Temple at prayer and food 
was sent her from above. Her father, Zacharias, came 
to her and asked her from whence the food came, and 



42 RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES 

Mary made answer, ' From on high.' Surely God made 
Mary to be exalted above all other women/' 

This is what Mohammed taught his people concerning 
Jesus and Moses, and he reproached them for their 
lack of faith in these great Teachers, and taught them 
the lessons of Truth and tolerance. Mohammed was 
sent from God to work among a people as savage and 
uncivilized as the wild beasts. They were quite devoid 
of understanding, nor had they any feelings of love, 
sympathy and pity. Women were so degraded and 
despised that a man could bury his daughter alive, and 
he had as many wives to be his slaves as he chose. 

Among these half animal people Mohammed was 
sent with his divine message. He taught the people 
that idol worship was wrong, but that they should rever- 
ence Christ, Moses and the Prophets. Under his in- 
fluence they became a more enlightened and civilized 
people and arose from the degraded state in which he 
found -them. Was not this a good work, and worthy of 
all praise, respect and love ? 

Look at the Gospel of the Lord Christ and see how 
glorious it is k Yet even to-day men fail to understand 
its priceless beauty, and misinterpret its words of 
wisdom. 

Christ forbad war ! When the disciple Peter, think- 
ing to defend his Lord, cut off the ear of the servant of 
the High Priest, Christ said to him : " Put up thy sword 
into the sheath/ 1 1 Yet, in spite of the direct command 
of the Lord they profess to serve men still dispute, 
make war, and kill one another, and His counsels and 
teachings seem quite forgotten. 

1 St. John xviii., u. 



RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES 43 

But dt> not therefore attribute to the Masters and 
Prophets the evil deeds of their followers. If the 
priests, teachers and people, lead lives which are con- 
trary to the Religion they profess to follow, is that the 
faultof Christ or the other Teachers ? 

The people of Islam were taught to realize how 
Jesus came from God and was born of the Spirit, and 
that He must be glorified of all men . Moses was a prophet 
of God, and revealed in his day and for the people to 
whom he was sent, the Book of God. 

Mohammed recognized the sublime grandeur of Christ 
and the greatness of Moses and the prophets. If only 
the whole world would acknowledge the greatness of 
Mohammed and all the Heaven-sent Teachers, strife 
and discord would soon vanish from the face of the earth, 
and God's Kingdom would come among men. 

The people of Islam who glorify Christ are not 
humiliated by so doing. 

Christ was the Prophet of the Christians, Moses of 
the Jews why should not the followers of each prophet 
recognize and honour the other prophets also ? If 
men could only learn the lesson of mutual tolerance, 
understanding, and brotherly love, the Unity of the 
world would soon be an established fact. 

Baha'u'llah spent his life teaching this lesson of Love 
and Unity. Let us then put away from us all prejudice 
and intolerance, and strive with all our hearts and souls 
to bring about understanding and unity between 
Christians and Mussulmans. 



44 BENEFITS OF GOD 



THE BENEFITS OF GOD TO MAN 

4, Avenue de Camoens, 

October 2jth. 

alone ordereth all things and is all-powerful. 
Why then does He send trials to His servants ? 

The trials of man are of two kinds, (a) The con- 
sequences of his own actions, if a man eats too much, 
he ruins his digestion ; if he takes poison he becomes 
ill or dies. If a person gambles he will lose his money ; 
if he drinks too much he will lose his equilibrium. All 
these sufferings are caused by the man himself, it is 
quite clear therefore that certain sorrows are the 
results of our own deeds. 

(b) Other sufferings there are, which come upon the 
Faithful of God. Consider the great sorrows endured 
by Christ, and by His Apostles ! 

Those who suffer most, attain to the greatest perfec- 
tion. 

Those who declare a wish to suffer much for Christ's 
sake must prove their sincerity ; those who proclaim 
their longing to make great sacrifices can only prove 
their truth by their deeds. Job proved the fidelity of 
his love for God by being faithful through his great 
adversity, as well as during the prosperity of his life. 
The Apostles of Christ who steadfastly bore all their 
trials and sufferings did they not prove their faithful- 
ness ? Was not their endurance the best proof ? 

These griefs are now ended. 

Caiaphas lived a comfortable and happy life while 
Peter's life was full of sorrow and trial ; which of these 



BEAUTY IN DIVERSITY 45 

two is ttie more enviable ? Assuredly we should choose 
the present state of Peter, for he possesses immortal 
life whilst Caiaphas has won eternal shame. The trials 
of Peter tested his fidelity. Tests are benefits from God, 
for which we should thank Him. Grief and sorrow do 
not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the 
Divine Mercy for our own perfecting. 

While a man is happy he may forget his God ; but 
when grief comes and sorrows overwhelm him, then will 
he remember his Father who is in Heaven, and who is 
able to deliver him from his humiliations. 

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The 
plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, 
when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful 
blossoms and the most abundant fruit. 

The labourer cuts up the earth with his plough, 
and from that earth comes the rich and plentiful harvest. 
The more a man is chastened, the greater is the harvest 
of spiritual virtues shown forth by him. A soldier is 
no good general until he has been in the front of the 
fiercest battle and has received the deepest wounds. 

The prayer of the Prophets of God has always been, 
and still is : Oh, God I I long to lay down my life in 
the Path to Thee ! I desire to shed my blood for Thee, 
and to make the Supreme Sacrifice. 



BEAUTY AND HARMONY IN DIVERSITY 

October 28th. 
Creator of all is One God. 

From this same God all creation sprang into exist- 
ence, and He is the one goal, towards which everything 



46 BEAUTY IN DIVERSITY 

in Nature yearns. This conception was embodied in the 
words of Christ, when He said, " I am the Alpha and the 
Omega, the beginning and the end/ 1 Man is the sum 
of Creation, and the Perfect Man is the expression of the 
complete thought of the Creator the Word of God. 

Consider the world of created beings, how varied and 
diverse they are in species, yet with one sole origin. 
All the differences that appear are those of outward 
form and colour. This diversity of type is apparent 
throughout the whole of Nature. 

Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs and 
trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar 
beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. 
The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in 
foliage and what different fruits they bear ! Yet all 
these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self- 
same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same 
clouds give them rain. 

So is it with Humanity. It is made up of many 
races, and its peoples are of different colour, white, black, 
yellow, brown and red but they all come from the 
same God, and all are servants to Him. This diversity 
among the children of men has unhappily not the same 
effect as it has among the vegetable creation, where the 
spirit shown is more harmonious. Among men exists 
the diversity of animosity, and it is this that causes 
war and hatred among the different nations of the world. 

Differences which are only those of blood also cause 
them to destroy and kill one another. Alas 1 that this 
should still be so. Let us look rather at the beauty 
in diversity, the beauty of harmony, and learn a lesson 
from the vegetable creation. If you beheld a garden, 



BEAUTY IN DIVERSITY 47 

in which' all the plants were the same as to form, colour 
and perfume, it would not seem beautiful to you at all, 
but, rather, monotonous and dull. The garden which 
is pleasing to the eye and which makes the heart glad, 
is the garden in which are growing side by side flowers 
of every hue, form and perfume, and the joyous contrast 
of colour is what makes for charm and beauty. So is it 
with trees. An orchard full of fruit trees is a delight ; 
so is a plantation planted with many species of shrubs. 
It is just the diversity and variety that constitutes its 
charm ; each flower, each tree, each fruit, besides 
being beautiful in itself, brings out by contrast the quali- 
ties of the others, and shows to advantage the special 
loveliness of each and all. 

Thus should it be among the children of men ! The 
diversity in the human family should be the cause of 
love and harmony, as it is in music where many different 
notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. If 
you meet those of different race and colour to yourself, 
do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your 
shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show 
them kindness. Think of them as different coloured 
roses growing in the beautiful garden of Humanity, and 
rejoice to be among them. 

Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ 
from your own, do not turn away your face from them. 
All are seeking Truth, and there are many roads leading 
thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains 
always and for ever one. 

Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of 
thought to separate you from your fellow men, or to be 
the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts. 



48 THE COMING OF CHRIST 

Rather, search diligently for the Truth and' make all 
men your friends. 

Every edifice is made of many different stones, yet 
each depends on the other to such an extent that if 
one were displaced the whole building would suffer ; 
if one is faulty the structure is imperfect. 

Baha'u'llah has drawn the circle of Unity, he has made 
a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the 
gathering of them all under the shelter of the Tent of 
Universal Unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, 
and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have 
the Reality of Unity in our midst, and as we work, so will 
strength be given unto us. Leave all thought of self, 
and strive only to be obedient and submissive to the Will 
of God. In this way only shall we become citizens of 
the Kingdom of God, and attain unto Life Ever- 
lasting. 

THE TRUE MEANING OF THE PROPHECIES CONCERNING 
THE COMING OF CHRIST 

October ysth. 

TN the Bible there are prophecies of the Coming of 
-* Christ. The Jews still await the coming of the 
Messiah, and pray to God day and night to hasten His 
advent. 

When Christ came they denounced and slew Him, 
saying : " This is not the One for whom we wait. 
Behold when the Messiah shall come, signs and wonders 
shall testify that He is in truth the Christ. We know 
the signs and conditions, and they have not appeared* 
The Messiah will arise out of an unknown City. He 
shall sit upon the throne of David, and behold, He shall 



THE COMING OF CHRIST 49 

come with a sword of steel, and with a sceptre of iron 
shall He rule ! He shall fulfil the Law of the Prophets, 
He shall conquer the East and the West, and shall 
glorify His chosen people the Jews. He shall bring 
with Him a reign of Peace, during which even the 
animals shall cease to be at enmity with man. For 
behold the wolf and the lamb shall drink from the same 
spring, and the lion and the doe shall lie down in the 
same pasture, the serpent and the mouse shall share the 
same nest, and all God's creatures shall be at rest. 11 

According to the Jews, Jesus the Christ fulfilled none 
of these conditions, for their eyes were holden and they 
could not see. 

He came from Nazareth, no unknown place. He 
carried no sword in His hand, nor even a stick. He 
did not sit upon the Throne of David, He was a poor 
man. He reformed the Law of Moses, and broke the 
Sabbath Day. He did not conquer the East and the 
West, but was Himself subject to the Roman Law. He 
did not exalt the Jews, but taught equality and brother- 
hood, and rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees. He 
brought in no reign of Peace, for during His lifetime 
injustice and cruelty reached such a height that even 
He Himself fell a victim to it, and died a shameful death 
upon the Cross. 

Thus the Jews thought and spoke, for they did not 
understand the Scriptures nor the glorious Truths that 
were contained in them. The letter they knew by heart, 
but of the life-giving Spirit they understood not a word. 

Hearken, and I will show you the meaning thereof. 
Although He came from Nazareth, which was a known 
place, He also came from Heaven. His body was born 
D 



50 THE COMING OF CHRIST 

of Mary, but His Spirit came from Heaven. The sword 
He carried was the sword of His tongue, with which He 
divided the good from the evil, the True from the False, 
the Faithful from the Unfaithful, and the Light from the 
Darkness. His Word was indeed a sharp sword ! The 
Throne upon which He sat is the Eternal Throne from 
which Christ reigns for ever, a heavenly throne, not an 
earthly one, for the things of earth pass away but 
heavenly things pass not away. He re-interpreted and 
completed the Law of Moses and fulfilled the Law of the 
Prophets. His word conquered the East and the West. 
His Kingdom is Everlasting. He exalted those Jews 
who recognized Him. They were men and women of 
humble birth, but contact with Him made them great 
and gave them everlasting dignity. The animals who 
were to live with one another signified the different sects 
and races, who, once having been at war, were now to 
dwell in love and charity, drinking together the Water of 
Life from Christ the Eternal Spring. 

Thus, all the spiritual prophecies concerning the 
coming of Christ were fulfilled, but the Jews shut their 
eyes that they should not see, and their ears that they 
should not fiear, and the Divine Reality of Christ passed 
through their midst unheard, unloved and unrecog- 
nized. 

It is easy to read the Holy Scriptures, but it is only 
with a clean heart and a pure mind that one may under- 
stand their true meaning. Let us ask God's help to 
enable us to understand the Holy Books. Let us pray 
for eyes to see and ears to hear, and for hearts that long 
for Peace. 

God's eternal Mercy is immeasurable. He has always 



INTERMEDIARY POWER 51 

chosen certain souls upon whom He has shed the Divine 
Bounty of His heart, whose minds He has illumined 
with celestial light, to whom He has revealed the sacred 
mysteries, and kept clear before their sight the Mirror of 
Truth. These are the disciples of God, and His good- 
ness has no bounds. You who are servants of the 
Most High may be disciples also. The treasuries of God 
are limitless. 

The Spirit breathing through the Holy Scriptures is 
food for all who hunger. God Who has given the revela- 
tion to His Prophets will surely give of His abundance 
daily bread to all those who ask Him faithfully. 



THE HOLY SPIRIT THE INTERMEDIARY POWER BETWEEN 

GOD AND MAN 

4, Avenue de Camoens, 
October 



Divine Reality is Unthinkable, Limitless, 
Eternal, Immortal and Invisible. 

The World of Creation is bound by natural Law, 
finite and mortal. 

The Infinite Reality cannot be said to ascend or 
descend. It is beyond the understanding of man, and 
cannot be described in terms which apply to the 
phenomenal sphere of the created world. 

Man, then, is in extreme need of the only Power by 
which he is able to receive help from the Divine Reality, 
that Power alone bringing him into contact with the 
Source of all life. 

An intermediary is needed to bring two extremes into 
relation with each other. Riches and poverty, plenty 



52. INTERMEDIARY POWER 

and need : without an intermediary power there could 
be no relation between these pairs of opposites. 

So we can say that there must be a Mediator between 
God and Man, and this is none other than the Holy 
Spirit, which brings the created earth into relation with 
the " Unthinkable One," the Divine Reality. 

The Divine Reality may be likened to the sun and 
the Holy Spirit to the rays of the sun. As the rays of 
the sun bring the light and warmth of the sun to the 
earth, giving life to all created beings, so do the " Mani- 
festations " * bring the power of the Holy Spirit from 
the Divine Sun of Reality to give Light and Life to the 
souls of men. 

Behold, there is an intermediary necessary between 
the sun and the earth ; the sun does not descend to the 
earth, neither does the earth ascend to the sun. This 
contact is made by the rays of the sun which bring light 
and warmth and heat. 

The Holy Spirit is the Light from the Sun of Truth 
bringing, by its Infinite power, life and illumination to 
all mankind, flooding all souls with Divine Radiance, 
conveying the Blessings of God's mercy to the whole 
world. The earth, without the medium of the warmth 
and light of the rays of the sun, could receive no benefits 
from the sun. 

Likewise the Holy Spirit is the very cause of the 
Life of Man ; without the Holy Spirit he would have no 
intellect, he would be unable to acquire his scientific 
knowledge by which kis great influence over the rest of 
creation is gained. The illumination of the Holy Spirit 
gives to Man the power of Thought, and enables him to 
1 Manifestations of God. 



TWO NATURES IN MAN 53 

make discoveries by which he bends the laws of nature 
to his will. 

The Holy Spirit it is which, through the meditation 
of the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to Man 
and enables him to attain Eternal life. 

All these Blessings are brought to Man by the Holy 
Spirit ; therefore we can understand that the Holy 
Spirit is the Intermediary between the Creator and the 
Created. The light and heat of the sun cause the earth 
to be fruitful, and create life in all things that grow ; 
and the Holy Spirit quickens the souls of men. 

The two great Apostles, St. Peter and St. John the 
Evangelist, were once simple, humble workmen, toiling 
for their daily bread. By the Power of the Holy Spirit 
their souls were illumined, and they received the eternal 
blessings of the Lord Christ. 

THE TWO NATURES IN MAN 

November ist. 

TpO-DAY is a day of rejoicing in Paris 1 They are cele- 
A brating the Festival of " All Saints/ 1 Why do you 
think that these people were called " Saints " ? The 
word has a very real meaning. A saint is one who leads 
a life of purity, one who has freed himself from all 
human weaknesses and imperfections. 

In man there are two natures ; his spiritual or higher 
nature and his material or lower nature. In one he 
approaches God, in the other he lives for the world 
alone. Signs of both these natures are to be found in 
men. In his material aspect he expresses untruth, 
cruelty and injustice ; all these are the outcome of his 



54 TWO NATURES IN MAN 

lower nature. The attributes of his Divine nature are 
shown forth in Love, Mercy, Kindness, Truth and Justice, 
one and all being expressions of his higher nature. 
Every good habit, every noble quality belongs to man's 
spiritual nature, whereas all his imperfections and sinful 
actions are born of his material nature. If a man's 
Divine Nature dominates his human nature, we have a 
saint. 

Man has the power both to do good and to do evil ; 
if his power for good predominates and his inclinations 
to do wrong are conquered, then man in truth may be 
called a saint. But if, on the contrary, he rejects the 
things of God, and allows his evil passions to conquer 
him, then is he no better than a mere animal. 

Saints are men who have freed themselves from the 
world of matter and who have overcome sin. They 
live in the world but are not of it, their thoughts being 
continually in the world of the Spirit. Their lives are 
spent in holiness, and their deeds show forth Love, 
Justice and Godliness. They are illumined from on 
high ; they are as bright and shining lamps in the dark 
places of the earth. These are the Saints of God. The 
Apostles, who were the Disciples of Jesus Christ, were 
just as other men are ; they, like their fellows, were 
attracted by the things of the world, and each thought 
only of his own advantage. They knew little of Justice, 
nor were the Divine perfections found in their midst. 
But when they followed Christ and believed in Him, 
their ignorance gave place to understanding, cruelty 
was changed to justice, falsehood to truth, darkness into 
light. They had been worldly, they became spiritual 
and divine. They had been children of darkness, they 



PROGRESS 55 

became sons of God, they became saints ! Strive there- 
fore to follow in their steps, leaving all worldly things 
behind, and striving to attain to the Spiritual Kingdom. 

Pray to God that He may strengthen you in divine 
virtue, so that you may be as angels in the world, and 
beacons of light to disclose the Mysteries of the Kingdom 
to those with understanding hearts. 

God sent His Prophets into the world to teach and 
enlighten man, to explain to him the mystery of the 
Power of the Holy Spirit, to enable him to reflect the 
light, and so, in his turn, to be the source of guidance 
to others. The Heavenly Books, the Bible, the Quran, 
and the other Holy Writings have been given by God 
as guides into the paths of Divine Virtue, Love, Justice 
and Peace. 

Therefore I say unto you that ye should strive to 
follow the counsels of these Blessed Books, and so order 
your lives that ye may, following the examples set 
before you, become yourselves the saints of the Most 
High! 

MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS 

November 2nd. 
ABDUL BAHA said : 

-** How beautiful the weather is to-day, the sky is 
clear, the sun shines, and the heart of man is made 
glad thereby ! 

Such bright and beautiful weather gives new life and 
strength to man, and if he has been sick, he feels once 
more in his heart the joyous hope of health renewed. 
All these gifts of nature concern the physical side of 



56 PROGRESS 

man, for it is only his body that can receive material 
benefits. 

If a man is successful in his business, art, or profession 
he is thereby enabled to increase his physical well- 
being and to give his body the amount of ease and 
comfort in which it delights. All around us to-day 
we see how man surrounds himself with every modern 
convenience and luxury, and denies nothing to the 
physical and material side of his nature. But, take 
heed, lest in thinking too earnestly of the things of the 
body you forget the things of the soul : for material 
advantages do not elevate the Spirit of a man. 'Per- 
fection in worldly things is a joy to the body of a man, 
but in no wise does it glorify his soul. 

It may be that a man who has every material benefit, 
and who lives surrounded by all the greatest comfort 
modern civilization can give him, is denied the -all im- 
portant gift of the Holy Spirit. 

It is indeed a good and praiseworthy thing to progress 
materially, but, in so doing, let us not neglect the more 
important Spiritual progress, and close our eyes to the 
Divine Light shining in our midst. 

Only by improving spiritually as well as materially can 
we make any real progress, and become perfect beings. 
It was in order to bring this Spiritual Life and Light into 
the world that all the great Teachers have appeared. 
They came so that the Sun of Truth might be manifested, 
and shine in the hearts of men, and that through its 
wondrous power men might attain unto Everlasting 
Light. 

When the Lord Christ came He spread the Light of 
the Holy Spirit on all around Him, and His disciples and 



EVOLUTION OF THE SOUL 57 

all who received His illumination became enlightened, 
spiritual beings. 

It was to manifest this Light that Baha'ullah was 
born, and came into the world. He taught Eternal 
Truth to men, and shed the rays of Divine Light in all 
lands. 

Alas ! behold how man disregards this Light. He 
still goes on his way of darkness, and disunity, and 
quarrels and fierce war are still rife. 

He uses material progress to gratify his lust for war, 
and he makes destructive implements and appliances to 
destroy his brother man. 

But let us rather exert ourselves for the attainment of 
Spiritual advantages, for this is the only way of true 
progress, that which cometh from God and is alone 
Godly. 

I pray for you one and all that you may receive the 
Bounties of the Holy Spirit ; so will you become in truth 
enlightened, and progress ever onward and upward to the 
Kingdom of God. Then shall your hearts be prepared 
to receive the glad tidings, your eyes shall be opened and 
you will see the Glory of God ; your ears shall be un- 
stopped and you will hear the call of the Kingdom, and 
with tongue made eloquent shall you call men to the 
realization of the Divine Power and Love of God ! 



THE EVOLUTION OF MATTER AND DEVELOPMENT OF 
THE SOUL 

November yd. 

JDARIS is becoming very cold, so cold that I shall soon be 
A obliged to go away, but the warmth of your love still 



58 EVOLUTION OF THE SOUL 

keeps me here. God willing, I hope to stay among you 
yet a little while ; bodily cold and heat cannot affect 
the Spirit, for it is wanned by the Fire of the Love of 
God. When we understand this, we begin to understand 
something of our life in the world to come. 

God, in His Bounty, has given us a foretaste here, has 
given us certain proofs of the difference that exists 
between body, soul and spirit. 

We see that cold, heat, suffering, etc., only concern the 
body, they do not touch the Spirit. 

How often do we see a man, poor, sick, miserably clad, 
and with no means of support, yet spiritually strong. 
Whatever his body has to suffer, his spirit is free and 
well ! Again, how often do we see a rich man, physically 
strong and healthy, but with a soul sick unto death. 

It is quite apparent to the seeing mind that a man's 
spirit is something very different to his physical body. 

The Spirit is changeless, indestructible. The progress 
and development of the soul, the joy and sorrow of the 
soul, are independent of the physical body. 

If we are caused joy or pain by a friend, if a love prove 
true or false, it is the soul that is affected. If our dear 
ones are far from us it is the soul that grieves, and 
the grief or trouble of the soul may react on the 
body. 

Thus, when the Spirit is fed with holy virtues, then is 
the body joyous ; if the soul falls into sin, the body is in 
torment ! 

When we find truth, constancy, fidelity and love, 
we are happy ; but if we meet with lying, faithlessness 
and deceit, we are miserable. 

These are all things pertaining to the soul, and are 



EVOLUTION OF THE SOUL 59 

not bodily ills. Thus, it is apparent that the soul, 
even as the body, has its own individuality. But if the 
body undergoes a change, the Spirit need not be touched. 
When you break a glass on which the sun shines, the glass 
is broken, but the sun still shines ! If a cage containing 
a bird is destroyed, the bird is unharmed ! If a lamp 
is broken, the flame can still burn bright t 

The same thing applies to the Spirit of man. Though 
death destroy his body, it has no power over his Spirit 
this is eternal, everlasting, both birthless and deathless. 

As to the soul of man after death, it remains in the 
degree of purity to which it has evolved during life in 
the physical body, and after it is freed from the body it 
remains plunged in the Ocean of God's Mercy. 

From the moment the soul leaves the body and arrives 
in the Heavenly World, its evolution is Spiritual, and 
that evolution is : The Approaching unto God. 

In the Physical creation, Evolution is from one 
degree of perfection to another. The mineral passes 
with its mineral perfections to the vegetable ; the 
vegetable, with its perfections, passes to the animal 
world, and so on to that of Humanity. This world is 
full of seeming contradictions ; in each of these king- 
doms (mineral, vegetable and animal) life exists in its 
degree ; though, when compared to the life in a man, 
the earth appears to be dead, yet she, too, lives and has 
a life of her own. In this world things live and die, and 
live again in other forms of life, but in the world of the 
spirit it is quite otherwise. 

The soul does not evolve from degree to degree as a 
law it only evolves nearer to God, by the Mercy and 
Bounty of God. 



60 SPIRITUAL MEETINGS 

It is my earnest prayer that we may all be in the 
Kingdom of God, and near Him. 



THE SPIRITUAL MEETINGS IN PARIS 

November qth. 

\ LL over Europe to-day one hears of meetings and 
** assemblies, and Societies of all kinds are formed. 
There are those interested in commerce, science, and poli- 
tics, and many others. All these are for material service, 
their desire being for the progress and enlightenment 
of the world of matter. But rarely does a Breath from 
the Spirit world breathe upon them. They seem un- 
conscious of the Divine Voice, careless concerning the 
things of God. But this meeting in Paris is a truly 
Spiritual one. The Divine Breath is poured forth in 
your midst, the Light of the Kingdom is shining in all 
hearts. The Divine Love of God is a power among 
you, and with souls athirst, ye receive the glad tidings of 
great joy. 

You are all met here with one accord, heart drawn to 
heart, souls overflowing with Divine Love, working and 
longing for the Unity of the world. 

Verily this assembly is a Spiritual one ! It is like unto 
a beautiful perfumed garden ! On it the Heavenly Sun 
sheds the golden rays, and the warmth thereof penetrates 
and gladdens each waiting heart. The Love of Christ 
which passeth all knowledge, is among you, the Holy 
Spirit is your help. 

Day by day this meeting will grow and become more 
powerful until gradually its Spirit will conquer the whole 
world 1 



TWO KINDS OF LIGHT 61 

Try witji all your hearts to be willing channels for 
God's Bounty. For I say unto you that He has chosen 
you to be His messengers of Love throughout the world, 
to be His bearers of Spiritual gifts to man, to be the 
means of spreading Unity and Concord on the earth. 
Thank God with all your hearts that such a privilege 
has been given unto you. For a life devoted to praise 
is not too long in which to thank God for such a favour. 

Lift up your hearts above the present and look with 
eyes of faith into the future ! To-day the seed is sown, 
the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will 
come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches 
thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be 
glad that this day has dawned, try to realize its power, 
for it is indeed wonderful ! God has crowned you with 
honour and in your hearts has He set a radiant star ; 
verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world ! 



THE TWO KINDS OF LIGHT 

November $th. 

-DAY the weather is gloomy and dull ! In the East 
there is continual sunshine, the stars are never 
veiled, and there are very few clouds. Light always rises in 
the East and sends forth its radiance into the West. 

There are two kinds of light. There is the visible 
light of the sun, by whose aid we can discern the beauties 
of the world around us without this we could see 
nothing. 

Nevertheless, though it is the function of this light to 
make things visible to us, it cannot give us the power 
to see them or to understand what their various charms 



62 TWO KINDS OF LIGHT 

may be, for this light has no intelligence, no conscious- 
ness. It is the light of the intellect which gives us know- 
ledge and understanding, and without this light the 
physical eyes would be useless. 

This light of the intellect is the highest light that 
exists, for it is born of the Light Divine. 

The light of the intellect enables us to understand and 
realize all that exists, but it is only the- Divine Light 
that can give us sight for the invisible things, and which 
enables us to see Truths that will only be visible to the 
world thousands of years hence. 

It was the Divine Light which enabled the prophets to 
see two thousand years in advance what was going to 
take place and to-day we see the realization of their 
vision. Thus it is this Light which we must strive to 
seek, for it is greater than any other. 

It was by this Light that Moses was enabled to see and 
comprehend the Divine Appearance, and to hear the 
Heavenly Voice which spoke to him from the Burning 
Bush. 1 

It is of this Light Mohammed is speaking when he 
says, " Allah is the Light of the Heavens, and of the 
Earth. 1 ' 

Seek with all your hearts this Heavenly Light, so that 
you may be enabled to understand the Realities, that 
you may know the secret things of God, that the hidden 
ways may be made plain before your eyes. 

This Light may be likened unto a mirror, and as a 

mirror reflects all that is before it, so this Light shows to 

the eyes of our Spirits all that exists in God's Kingdom 

and causes the realities of things to be made visible. By 

1 Exodus iii., 2. 



SPIRITUAL ASPIRATION 63 

the help of this effulgent Light all the Spiritual Inter- 
pretation of the Holy Writings has been made plain, the 
hidden things of God's Universe have become manifest, 
and we have been enabled to comprehend the Divine 
purposes for man. 

I pray that God in His mercy may illumine your 
hearts and souls with His Glorious Light, then shall 
each one of you shine as a radiant star in the dark places 
of the world. 

SPIRITUAL ASPIRATION IN THE WEST 

November 6th. 
A BDUL BAHA said : You are very welcome ! From 



Eastern lands I have come to the West to sojourn 
awhile among you. In the East it is often said that the 
people of the West are without spirituality, but I have not 
found it thus. Thank God, I see and feel that there is 
much spiritual aspiration among the Western peoples, 
and that in some cases their spiritual perception is even 
keener than among their Eastern brothers. If the 
teaching given in the East had been conscientiously 
spread in the West, the world to-day would be a more 
enlightened place. 

Although in the past all the great Spiritual Teachers 
have arisen in the East, there are still many men there 
who are quite devoid of Spirituality. With regard td 
the things of the Spirit they are as lifeless as a stone ; 
nor do they wish to be otherwise, for they consider that 
man is only a higher form of animal and that the things 
of God concern him not. 

But man's ambition should soar above this he 



64 SPIRITUAL ASPIRATION 

should ever look higher than himself, ever upward and 
onward, until through the Mercy of God he may come to 
the Kingdom of Heaven. Again, there are men whose 
eyes are only open to physical progress and to the evolu- 
tion in the world of matter. These men prefer to study 
the resemblance between their own physical body and 
that of the ape, rather than to contemplate the glorious 
affiliation between their Spirit and that of God. This is 
indeed strange, for it is only physically that man re- 
sembles the lower creation, with regard to his intellect 
he is totally unlike it. 

Man is always progressing. His circle of knowledge 
is ever widening, and his mental activity flows through 
many and varied channels. Look what man has 
accomplished in the field of science, consider his many 
discoveries and countless inventions and his profound 
understanding of Natural Law. 

In the world of art it is just the same, and this wonder- 
ful development of man's faculties becomes more' and 
more rapid as time goes on ! If the discoveries, in- 
ventions and material accomplishments of the last 
fifteen hundred years could be put together, you would 
see that there-has been greater advancement during the 
last hundred years than in the previous fourteen cen- 
turies. For the rapidity with which man is progressing 
increases century by century. 

The power of the Intellect is one of God's greatest 
gifts to men, it is the power that makes him a higher 
creature than the animal. For whereas, century by 
century and age by age man's intelligence grows and be- 
comes keener, that of the animal remains the same. 
They are no more intelligent to-day than they were a 



LECTURE IN PARIS 65 

thousand years ago ! Is there a greater proof than this 
needed to show man's dissimilarity to the animal 
creation ? It is surely as clear as day. 

As for the spiritual perfections they are man's birth- 
right and belong to him alone of all creation. Man 
is, in reality, a Spiritual being, and only when he lives 
in the spirit is he truly happy. This spiritual longing and 
perception belongs to all men alike, and it is my firm 
conviction that the Western people possess great spiritual 
aspiration. 

It is my fervent prayer that the Star of the East 
will shed its brilliant rays on the Western World, and 
that the people of the West may arise in strength, 
earnestness, and courage, to help their brethren in the 
East. 

LECTURE GIVEN AT A STUDIO IN PARIS 

November 6th. 

TPHIS is in truth a Bahai House. Every time such a 
house or meeting-place is founded it becomes one of 
the greatest aids to the general development of the town 
and country to which it belongs. It encourages the 
growth of learning and science and is known for its 
intense Spirituality and for the love it spreads among 
the peoples. 

The foundation of such a meeting-place is always 
followed by the greatest prosperity. The first Bahai 
Assembly that existed in Teheran was singularly blessed ! 
In one year it had grown so rapidly that its members 
had increased to nine times their original number. 
To-day, in far-away Persia, there are many such assem- 



66 LECTURE IN PARIS 

blies where the Friends of God meet together in the 
fulness of joy, love and unity. They teach the Cause of 
God, educate the ignorant, and draw heart to heart in 
brotherly kindness. It is they who help the poor and 
needy and give to them their daily bread. They love 
and care for the sick and are messengers of hope and 
consolation to the desolate and oppressed. 

Oh ye in Paris, strive that your assemblies may be 
like unto this, and may bear even greater fruits ! 

Oh Friends of God ! If ye will trust in the Word of 
God and be strong ; if ye will follow the precepts of 
Bah'u'llah to tend the sick, raise the fallen, care for the 
poor and needy, give shelter to the destitute, protect 
the oppressed, comfort the sorrowful and love the world 
of humanity with all your hearts, then I say unto you 
that ere long this meeting-place will see a wonderful 
harvest. Day by day each member will advance and 
become more and more spiritual. But ye must have a 
firm foundation and your aims and ambitions must be 
clearly understood by each member. They shall be as 
follows : 

i To show compassion and goodwill to all mankind. 

2. To render service to humanity. 

3. To endeavour to guide and enlighten those in 
darkness. 

4. To be kind to everyone, and show forth affection 
to every living soul. 

5. To be humble in your attitude towards God, 
to be constant in prayer to Him, so as to grow daily 
nearer to God. 

6. To be so faithful and sincere in all your actions 
that every member may be known as embodying the 



BAHA'U'LLAH 67 

qualities of honesty, love, faith, kindness, generosity, 
and courage. To be detached from all that is not God, 
attracted by the Heavenly Breath a divine soul ; 
so that the world may know that a Bahal is a perfect 
being. 

Strive to attain this at these meetings. Then, indeed 
and in truth will ye, the Friends of God, come together 
with great joy 1 Render help one to the other, become 
as one man, having reached perfect Unity. 

I pray to God that daily ye may advance in spirituality, 
that God's Love may be more and more manifested in 
you, that the thoughts of your hearts may be purified, 
and that your faces may be ever turned towards Him. 
May you one and all approach to the Threshold of 
Unity, and enter into the Kingdom. May each of you 
be like unto a flaming torch, lighted and burning bright 
with the fire of the Love of God. 



BAHA'U'LLAH 

November *jth. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

**" I will speak to you to-day of BahaVllah. In the 
third year after the Bab had declared his Mission, 
Baha'u'llah, being accused by fanatical Mullahs of believ- 
ing in the new doctrine, was arrested and thrown into 
prison. The next day, however, several ministers of the 
Government and other influential men caused him to be 
set free. Later on he was again arrested, and the priests 
condemned him to death 1 The Governor hesitated 
to have this sentence carried out for fear of a revolution. 
The priests met together in the Mosque, before which 



68 BAHA'U'LLAH 

was the place of execution. All the people of the town 
gathered in crowds outside the Mosque. The carpenters 
brought their saws and hammers, the butchers came with 
their knives, the bricklayers and builders shouldered 
their spades, all these men, incited by the frenzied 
Mullahs, were eager to share in the honour of killing 
him. Inside the Mosque were assembled the doctors of 
Religion. Baha Vllah stood before them, and answered 
all their questions with great wisdom. The chief sage, 
in particular, was completely silenced by Baha'u'llah, 
who refuted all his arguments. 

A discussion arose between two of these priests as to 
the meaning of some words in the writings of the Bab ; 
accusing him of inaccuracy, they challenged Baha'u'llah 
to defend him if he were able. These priests were entirely 
humiliated, for Baha'u'llah proved before the whole 
assembly that the Bab was absolutely right, and that the 
accusation was made in ignorance. 

The defeated ones now put him to the torture of the 
bastinado, and more infuriated than before brought him 
out before the walls of the Mosque unto the place of 
execution, where the misguided people were awaiting 
his coming. 

Still the Governor feared to comply with the demand 
of the priests for his execution. Realizing the danger 
in which the dignified prisoner was placed, some men 
were sent to rescue him. In this they succeeded by 
breaking through the wall of the Mosque and leading 
Baha'u'llah through the opening into a place of safety, 
but not of freedom ; for the Governor shifted the re- 
sponsibility from off his own shoulders by sending him 
to Teheran. Here he was imprisoned in an under- 



BAHA'U'LLAH 69 

ground dungeon, where the light of day was never seen. 
A heavy chain was placed about his neck by which he 
was chained to five other Babis ; these fetters were 
locked together by strong, very heavy, bolts and screws. 
His clothes were torn to pieces, also his fez. In this 
terrible condition he was kept for four months. 

During this time none of his friends were able to get 
access to him. 

A prison official made an attempt to poison him, but 
beyond causing him great suffering this poison had no 
effect. 

After a time the Government liberated him and exiled 
him and his family to Baghdad, where he remained for 
eleven years. During this time he underwent severe 
persecutions, being surrounded by the watchful hatred 
of his enemies. 

He bore all evils and torments with the greatest 
courage and fortitude. Often when he arose in the 
morning, he knew not whether he would live until the 
sun should set. Meanwhile, each day, the Priests came 
and questioned him on Religion and Metaphysics. 

At length the Turkish Governor exiled him to Con- 
stantinople, whence he was sent to Adrianople ; here 
he stayed for five years. Eventually, he was sent to the 
far off prison fortress of St. Jean d'Acre. Here he was 
imprisoned in the military portion of the fortress and 
kept under the strictest surveillance. Words would 
fail me to tell you of the many trials he had to suffer, 
and all the misery he endured in that prison. Notwith- 
standing, it was from this prison that Baha'u'llah wrote 
to all the Monarchs of Europe, and these letters with one 
exception were sent through the post. 



70 BAHA'U'LLAH 

The Epistle to Nassar-ed-din Shah was confided to a 
Persian Bahai, Mirza Badi Khorasani, who undertook to 
deliver it into the Shah's own hands. This brave man 
waited in the neighbourhood of Teheran for the passing 
of the Shah, who had the intention to journey by that 
way to his Summer Palace. The courageous messenger 
followed the Shah to his Palace, and waited on the road 
near the entrance for several days. Always in the same 
place was he seen waiting on the road, until the people 
began to wonder why he should be there. At last the 
Shah heard of him, and commanded his servants that 
the man should be brought before him. 

" Oh ! servants of the Shah, I bring a letter, which 
I must deliver into his own hands/' Badi said ; and then 
Badi said to the Shah, " I bring you a letter from 
Baha'u'llah ! " 

He was immediately seized and questioned by those 
who wished to elicit information which would help 
them in the further persecutions of Baha'u'llah. Badi 
would answer not a word ; then they tortured him, still 
he held his peace ! After three days they killed him, 
having failed to force him to speak ! These cruel men 
photographed him whilst he was under torture. 1 

The Shah gave the letter from Baha'u'llah to the 
priests that they might explain it to him. After some 
days these priests told the Shah that the letter was from 
a political enemy. The Shah grew angry, and said, 
" This is no explanation, I pay you to read and answer 
my letters, therefore obey 1 " 

1 A certain man who was present when Badi was told 
he should carry the Epistle to the Shah saw him trans- 
figured ; he became radiant. 



ACTION 71 

The spirit and meaning of the Tablet to Nassar-ed-din 
Shah was, in short, this : " Now that the time has 
come, when the Cause of the Glory of God has appeared, 
I ask that I may be allowed to come to Teheran and 
answer any questions the priests may put to me. 

"I exhort you to detach yourself from the worldly 
magnificence of your Empire. Remember all those 
great Kings who have lived before you their glories 
have passed away ! " 

The letter was written in a most beautiful manner, 
and continued warning the King and telling him of the 
future triumph of the Kingdom of BahaVllah, both in 
the Eastern and in the Western World. 

The Shah paid no attention to the warning of this 
letter and continued to live in the same fashion until 
the end. 

Although Baha'u'llah was in prison the Great Power 
of the Holy Spirit was with Him ! 

None other in prison could have been like unto him. 
In spite of all the hardships he suffered, he never com- 
plained. 

In the Dignity of His Majesty, He always refused to 
see the Governor, or the influential people of the town. 

Although the surveillance was unremittingly strict 
He came and went as He wished I He died in a house 
situated about three kilometers from St. Jean D'Acre. 

GOOD IDEAS MUST BE CARRIED INTO ACTION 

November 8th. 

A LL over the world one hears beautiful sayings extolled 
"** and noble precepts admired. All men say they love 



72 ACTION 

what is good, and hate everything that is evil ! Sin- 
cerity is to be admired, whilst lying is despicable. Faith 
is a virtue, and treachery is a disgrace to humanity. 
It is a blessed thing to gladden the hearts of men, and 
wrong to be the cause of pain. To be kind and merciful 
is right, while to hate is sinful. Justice is a noble quality 
and injustice an iniquity. That it is one's duty to be 
pitiful and harm no one, and to avoid jealousy and 
malice at all costs. Wisdom is the glory of man, not 
Ignorance ; Light, not Darkness ! It is a good thing 
to turn one's face toward God, and foolishness to ignore 
Him. That it is our duty to guide man upward, and not 
to mislead him and be the cause of his downfall. There 
are many more examples like unto these. 

But all these sayings are but words and we see very 
few of them carried into the world of action. On the 
contrary, we perceive that men are carried away by 
passion and selfishness, each man thinking only of -what 
will benefit himself even if it means the ruin of his 
brother. They are all anxious to make their fortune 
and care little or nothing for the welfare of others. They 
are concerned about their own peace and comfort, while 
the condition of their fellows troubles them not at all. 

Unhappily this is the road most men tread. 

But Bahais must not be thus ; they must rise above 
this condition. Actions must be more to them than 
words. By their actions they must be merciful and 
not merely by their words. They must on all occasions 
confirm by their actions what they proclaim in words. 
Their deeds must prove their fidelity, and their actions 
must show forth Divine Light. 

Let your actions cry aloud to the world that you are 



MEANING OF BAPTISM 73 

indeed Bahai's, for it is actions that speak to the world 
and are the cause of the progress of humanity. 

If we are true Bahals speech is not needed. Our 
actions will help on the world, will spread civilization, 
will help the progress of science, and cause the arts to 
develop. Without action nothing in the material world 
can be accomplished, neither can words unaided advance 
a man in the Spiritual Kingdom. It is not through lip- 
service only that the Elect of God have attained to 
holiness, but by patient lives of active service they have 
brought Light into the World. 

Therefore strive that your actions day by day niay 
be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek 
always to do that which is right and noble. Enrich 
the poor, raise the fallen, comfort the sorrowful, bring 
healing to the sick, reassure the fearful, rescue the 
oppressed, bring hope to the hopeless, shelter the desti- 
tute I 

This is the work of a true Bahai, and this is what is 
expected of him. If we strive to do all this, then are 
we true Bahais, but if we neglect it, we are not followers 
of the Light, and we have no right to the name. 

God, who sees all hearts, knows how far our lives are 
the fulfilment of our words. 

THE TRUE MEANING OF BAPTISM BY WATER AND FIRE 

November gth. 

TN the Gospel according to St. John, Christ has said : 
" Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he 
cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven/ 1 x The 
1 St. John iii., 5. 



74 MEANING OF BAPTISM 

priests have interpreted this into meaning that Baptism 
is necessary for salvation. In another Gospel it is 
said : "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and 
with fire." 2 

Thus the water of Baptism and the fire are one ! 
It cannot mean that the " water " spoken of is physical 
water, for it is the direct opposite of " fire/ 1 and one 
destroys the other. When in the Gospels Christ speaks 
of " water/' He means that which causes life, for with- 
out water no worldly creature can live mineral, vege- 
table, animal and man, one and all, depend upon water 
for their very being. Yes, the latest scientific discoveries 
prove to us that even the mineral has some form of 
life, and that it also needs water for its existence. 

Water is the cause of life, and when Christ speaks 
of water, He is symbolizing that which is the cause of 
Everlasting Life. 

This life-giving water of which He speaks is like 
unto fire, for it is none other than the Love of God, 
and this love means life to our souls. 

By the fire of the Love of God the veil is burnt which 
separates us" from the Heavenly Realities, and with 
clear vision we are enabled to struggle onward and 
upward, ever progressing in the paths of virtue and 
holiness, and becoming the means of light to the world. 

There is nothing greater or more blessed than the 
Love of God I It gives healing to the sick, balm to the 
wounded, joy and consolation to the whole world, and 
through it alone can man attain Life Everlasting. 
The Essence of all Religions is the Love of God, and it 
is the foundation of all the sacred teachings. 
8 St Matthew iii., u. 



"U ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTE " 75 

It was the Love of God that led Abraham, Isaac and 
Jacob, that strengthened Joseph in Egypt and gave to 
Moses courage and patience. 

Through the Love of God Christ was sent into the 
world with His inspiring example of a perfect life of 
self-sacrifice and devotion, bringing to men the message 
of Eternal Life. It was the Love of God that gave 
Mohammed power to bring the Arabs from a state of 
animal degradation to a loftier state of existence. 

God's Love it was that sustained the Bab and brought 
him to his supreme sacrifice, and made his bosom the 
willing target for a thousand bullets. 

Finally, it was the Love of God that gave to the 
East Baha'u'llah, and is now sending the light of His 
teaching far into the West, and from Pole to Pole. 

Thus I exhort each of you, realizing its power and 
beauty, to sacrifice all your thoughts, words and actions 
to bring the knowledge of the Love of God into every 
heart. 



DISCOURSE AT L ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTE 

Salle de l'Athen6e, 

St. Germain, Paris, 

November gth. 

I wish to express my gratitude for your hospitality, 
and my joy that you are spiritually minded. I am happy 
to be present at a gathering such as this, assembled 
together to listen to a Divine Message. If you could 
see with the eye of Truth, great waves of spirituality 
would be visible to you in this place. The Power of 



76 " V ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTE " 

the Holy Spirit is here for all. Praise be to God that 
your hearts are inspired with Divine fervour ! Your 
souls are as waves on the sea of the Spirit ; although 
each individual is a distinct wave, the ocean is one, all 
are united in God. 

Every heart should radiate Unity, so that the Light 
of the one Divine Source of all may shine forth bright 
and luminous. We must not consider the separate 
waves alone, but the entire sea. We should rise from 
the individual to the whole. The Spirit is as one great 
ocean and the waves thereof are the souls of men. 

We are told in the Holy Scripture that the New Jeru- 
salem shall appear on earth. Now it is evident that 
this celestial city is not built of material stones and mor- 
tar, but that it is a city not made with hands, eternal 
in the Heavens 1 

This is a prophetic symbol, meaning the coming again 
of the Divine Teaching to enlighten the hearts of men. 
It is long since this Holy Guidance has governed the 
lives of Humanity. But now, at last, the Holy City of 
the New Jerusalem has come again to the world, it has 
appeared anew under an Eastern sky ; from the horizon 
of Persia has its effulgence arisen to be a light to lighten 
the whole world. We see in these days the fulfilment 
of the Divine Prophecy. Jerusalem had disappeared. 
The heavenly city was destroyed, now it is rebuilt ; it 
was razed to the ground, but now its walls and pinnacles 
have been restored, and are towering aloft in their 
renewed and glorious beauty. 

In the Western world material prosperity has tri- 
umphed, whilst in the East the spiritual sun has shone 
forth. 



"L'ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTS " 77 

I am very glad to see such an assembly as this in 
Paris, where spiritual and material progress are met 
together in unity. 

Man the true man is soul, not body; though 
physically man belongs to the animal kingdom, yet his 
soul lifts him above the rest of creation. Behold how 
the light of the sun illuminates the world of matter : 
even so doth the Divine Light shed its rays in the king- 
dom of the soul. The soul it is which makes the human 
creature a celestial entity 1 

By the power of the Holy Spirit, working through his 
soul, man is able to perceive the Divine Reality of things. 
All great works of art and science are witnesses to this 
power of the Spirit. 

The same Spirit gives Eternal Life. 

Those alone who are baptized by the Divine Spirit, will 
be enabled to bring all peoples into the bond of unity. 
It is by the Power of the Spirit that the Eastern World 
of spiritual thought can intermingle with the Western 
realm of action, so that the world of matter may become 
Divine. 

It follows that all who work for the Supreme Design 
are soldiers in the army of the spirit. 

The light of the celestial world makes war against the 
world of shadow and illusion. The rays of the Sun of 
Truth dispel the darkness of superstition and misunder- 
standing. 

You are of the Spirit ! To you who seek the Truth, 
the Revelation of BahaVllah will come as a great joy ! 
This teaching is of the spirit, in it is no precept which is 
not of the Divine Spirit. 

Spirit cannot be perceived by the material senses 



78 " L' ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTE " 

of the physical body, excepting as it is expressed in 
outward signs and works. The human body is visible, 
the soul is invisible. It is the soul nevertheless that 
directs a man's faculties, that governs his humanity. 

The soul has two main faculties, (a) As outer cir- 
cumstances are communicated to the soul by the eyes, 
ears, and brain of a man, so does the soul communicate 
its desires and purposes through the brain to the hands 
and tongue of the physical body, thereby expressing 
itself. The Spirit in the soul is the very essence of Life. 
(b) The second faculty of the soul expresses itself in the 
world of vision, where the soul inhabited by the spirit 
has its being, and functions without the help of the 
material bodily senses. There, in the realm of vision, 
the soul sees without the help of the physical eye, hears 
without the aid of the physical ear, and travels without 
dependence upon physical motion. It is, therefore, 
clear that the spirit in the soul of man can function 
through the physical body by using the organs of the 
ordinary senses, and that it is able also to live and act 
without their aid in the world of vision. This proves 
without a doubt the superiority of the soul of man over 
his body, the superiority of Spirit over matter. 

For example, look at this lamp : is not the light within 
it superior to the lamp which holds it ? However 
beautiful the form of the lamp may be, if the light is 
not there its purpose is unfulfilled, it is without life 
a dead thing. The lamp needs the light, but the light 
does not need the lamp. 

The Spirit does not need a body, but the body needs 
Spirit, or it cannot live. The soul can live without a 
body, but the body without a soul dies. 



"L' ALLIANCE SPIRITUALISTS " 79 

If a man lose his sight, his hearing, his hand or his 
foot, should his soul still inhabit the body he lives, and is 
able to manifest divine virtues. On the other hand, 
without the Spirit it would be impossible for a perfect 
body to exist. 

The greatest power of the Holy Spirit exists in the 
Divine Manifestations of the Truth. Through the 
Power of the Spirit the Heavenly Teaching has been 
brought into the World of Humanity. Through the 
Power of the Spirit Life everlasting has come to the 
children of Men. Through the Power of the Spirit the 
Divine Glory has shone from East to West, and through 
the Power of the same Spirit will the divine virtues of 
Humanity become Manifest. 

Our greatest efforts must be directed towards detach- 
ment from the things of the world ; we must strive to 
become more spiritual, more luminous, to follow the 
counsel of the Divine Teaching, to serve the cause of 
Unity and true equality, to be merciful, to reflect the 
Love of the Highest on all men, so that the light of the 
Spirit shall be apparent in all our deeds, to the end that 
all humanity shall be united, the stormy sea thereof 
calmed, and all rough waves disappear from off the 
surface of life's ocean henceforth unruffled and peaceful. 
Then will the New Jerusalem be seen by Mankind, 
who will enter through its gates and receive the Divine 
Bounty. 

I thank God that I have been present amongst you 
this afternoon, and I thank you for your spiritual feeling. 

I pray that you may grow in Divine fervour, and 
that the Power of Unity in the Spirit will augment, so 
that the prophecies may be fulfilled, and that in this 



8o EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 

great century of the Light of God all the glad tidings 
written in the Sacred Books may come to pass. This 
is the glorious time of which the Lord Jesus Christ spoke 
when He told us to pray " Thy Kingdom come, Thy 
Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. I hope that 
this is also your expectation and great desire. 

We are united in the one aim and hope that all shall 
be as one, and every heart illumined by the Love of our 
Divine Father, God ! 

May all our actions be spiritual, and all our interests 
and affections be centred in the Kingdom of Glory ! 



THE EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 

15, Rue Greuze, Paris, 

November loth. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

*^ To-night I will speak of the evolution or progress 
the spirit. 

Absolute repose does not exist in Nature. All things 
either make progress or lose ground. Everything moves 
forward or backward, nothing is without motion. From 
his birth, a man progresses physically until he reaches 
maturity, then, having arrived at the prime of his life, 
he begins to decline, the strength and powers of his body 
decrease, and he gradually arrives at the hour of death. 
Likewise a plant progresses from the seed to maturity, 
then its life begins to lessen until it fades and dies. A 
bird soars to a certain height and having reached the 
highest possible point in its flight, begins its descent to 
earth. 



EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 81 

Thus 'it is evident that movement is essential to all 
existence. All material things progress to a certain 
point, then begin to decline. This is the law which 
governs the whole physical creation. 

Now let us consider the Soul. We have seen that 
movement is essential to existence ; nothing that has 
life is without motion. All creation, whether of the 
mineral, vegetable or animal kingdom, is compelled 
to obey the law of motion ; it must either ascend or 
descend. But with the human soul, there is no decline. 
Its only movement is towards perfection, growth and 
progress alone constitute the motion of the Soul. 

Divine perfection is infinite, therefore the progress of 
the Soul is also infinite. From the very birth of a 
human being the soul progresses, the intellect grows and 
knowledge increases. When the body dies the Soul 
lives on. All the differing degrees of created physical 
beings are limited, but the Soul is limitless ! 

In all religions the belief exists that the Soul survives 
the death of the body. Intercessions are sent up for 
the beloved dead, prayers are said for their progress and 
for the forgiveness of their sins. If the soul perished 
with the body all this would have no meaning. Further, 
if it were not possible for the Soul to advance towards 
perfection after it had been released from the body, of 
what avail are all these loving prayers of devotion ? 

We read in the sacred writings that " all good works 
are found again/ 11 Now, if the soul did not survive, this 
also would mean nothing ! 

The very fact that our Spiritual instinct, surely never 
given in vain, prompts us to pray for the welfare of those, 
* i.e. All good actions bring their own reward. 



82 EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 

our loved ones, who have passed out of the material 
world : does it not bear witness to the continuance of 
their existence ? 

In the World of Spirit there is no retrogression. The 
World of Mortality is a world of contradictions, of 
opposites ; motion being compulsory everything must 
either go forward or retreat. In the realm of Spirit 
there is no retreat possible, all movement is bound to be 
towards a perfect state. " Progress " is the expression 
of Spirit in the world of matter. The intelligence of 
Man, his reasoning powers, his knowledge, his scientific 
achievements, all these, being manifestations of the 
Spirit, partake of the inevitable law of spiritual progress 
and are, therefore, of necessity, immortal. 

My hope for you is that you will progress in the World 
of Spirit, as well as in the world of matter ; that your 
intelligence will develop, your knowledge will augment, 
and your understanding be widened. 

You must ever press forward, never standing still ; 
avoid stagnation, the first step to a backward movement, 
to decay. 

The whole physical creation is perishable. These 
material bodies are composed of atoms ; when these 
atoms begin to separate decomposition sets in, then 
comes what we call death. This composition of atoms, 
which constitutes the body or mortal element of any 
created being, is temporary. When the power of attrac- 
tion, which holds these atoms together, is withdrawn, 
the body, as such, ceases to exist. 

With the Soul it is different. The Soul is not a com- 
bination of elements, it is not composed of many atoms, 
it is of one indivisible substance and therefore eternal. 



EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 83 

It is entirely out of the order of the physical creation : it 
is immortal ! 

Scientific philosophy has demonstrated that a simple 
element (" simple/' meaning " not composed ") is 
indestructible, eternal. The Soul, not being a composi- 
tion of elements, is, in character, as a simple element, 
and therefore cannot cease to exist. 

The Soul, being of that one indivisible substance, can 
suffer neither disintegration nor destruction, therefore 
there is no reason for its coming to an end. All things 
living show signs of their existence, and it follows that 
these signs could not of themselves exist if that which 
they express or to which they testify had no being. A 
thing which does not exist, can, of course, give no sign of 
its existence. The manifold signs of the existence of the 
Spirit are for ever before us. 

The traces of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the influence 
of His Divine Teaching, is present with us to-day, and is 
everlasting. 

A non-existent thing, it is agreed, cannot be seen by 
signs. In order to write a man must exist one who 
does not exist cannot write. Writing is, in itself, a sign 
of the writer's soul and intelligence. The Sacred Writings 
(with ever the same Teaching) prove the continuity of 
the Spirit. 

Consider the aim of creation : is it possible that all is 
created to evolve and develop through countless ages 
with this small goal in view a few years of a man's life 
on earth ? Is it not unthinkable that this should be the 
final aim of existence ? 

The mineral evolves till it is absorbed in the life of the 
plant, the plant progresses till finally it loses its life in 



84 EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 

that of the animal ; the animal, in its turn, forming part 
of the food of man, is absorbed into human life. 

Thus, man is shown to be the sum of all creation, the 
superior of all created beings, the goal to which countless 
ages of existence have progressed. 

At the best, man spends four-score years and ten in 
this world a short time indeed I 

Does a man cease to exist when he leaves the body ? 
If his life comes to an end, then all the previous 
evolution is useless, all has been for nothing ! Can one 
imagine that Creation has no greater aim than this ? 

The Soul is eternal, immortal. 

Materialists say, " Where is the soul ? What is it ? 
We cannot see it, neither can we touch it." 

This is how we must answer them : However much 
the mineral may progress, it cannot comprehend the 
vegetable world. Now, that lack of comprehension 
does not prove the non-existence of the plant ! 

To however great a degree the plant may have 
evolved, it is unable to understand the animal world ; 
this ignorance is no proof that the animal does not exist ! 

The animal, be he never so highly developed, cannot 
imagine the intelligence of man, neither can he realize 
the nature of his soul. But, again, this does not prove 
that man is without intellect, or without soul. It only 
demonstrates this, that one form of existence is incapable 
of comprehending a form superior to itself. 

This flower may be unconscious of such a being 
as man, but the fact of its ignorance does not prevent 
the existence of humanity. 

In the same way, if materialists do not believe in the 
existence of the Soul, their unbelief does not prove that 



EVOLUTION OF THE SPIRIT 85 

there is no such realm as the World of Spirit. The very 
existence of man's intelligence proves his immortality ; 
moreover, darkness proves the presence of light, for 
without light there would be no shadow. Poverty proves 
the existence of riches, for, without riches, how could we 
measure poverty ? Ignorance proves that knowledge 
exists, for without knowledge how could there be 
ignorance ? 

Therefore the idea of mortality presupposes the 
existence of immortality for if there were no Life 
Eternal, there would be no way of measuring the life of 
this world I 

If the Spirit were not immortal, how could the Mani- 
festations of God endure such terrible trials ? 

Why did Christ Jesus suffer the fearful death on the 
Cross ? 

Why did Mohammed bear persecutions ? 

Why did the Bab make the supreme sacrifice, and 
why did Bah'u'llah pass the years of his life in prison ? 

Why should all this suffering have been, if not to prove 
the everlasting life of the Spirit ? 

Christ suffered, He accepted all His trials because of 
the immortality of His Spirit. If a man reflects he will 
understand the spiritual significance of the law of pro- 
gress ; how all moves from the inferior to the superior 
degree. 

It is only a man without intelligence who, after con- 
sidering these things, can imagine that the great scheme 
of creation should suddenly cease to progress, that 
evolution should come to such an inadequate end ! 

Materialists who reason in this way, and contend that 
we are unable to see the world of Spirit, or to perceive 



86 DESIRES AND PRAYERS 

the blessings of God, are surely like the animals who 
have no understanding ; having eyes they see not, ears 
they have, but do not hear. And this lack of sight and 
hearing is a proof of nothing but their own inferiority ; 
of whom we read in the Quran ," They are men who are 
blind and deaf to the Spirit." They do not use that 
great gift of God, the power of the understanding, by 
which they might see with the eyes of the Spirit, hear 
with Spiritual ears and also comprehend with a Divinely 
enlightened heart. 

The inability of the Materialistic mind to grasp the 
idea of the Life Eternal is no proof of the non-existence 
of that Life. 

The Comprehension of that other life depends on 
our spiritual birth ! 

My prayer for you is that your Spiritual faculties and 
aspirations may daily increase, and that you will never 
allow the material senses to veil from your eyes -the 
glories of the Heavenly Illumination. 



THE DESIfcES AND PRAYERS OF ABDUL BAHA 

November t$th. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

^ You are all very welcome, and I love you all 
most dearly. 

Day and night I pray to Heaven for you that strength 
may be yours, and that, one and all, you may participate 
in the blessings of Baha Vllah, and enter into the King- 
dom. 

I supplicate that you may become as new beings, 
Illumined with the Divine Light, like unto shining lamps, 



BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT 87 

and that from one end of Europe to the other the know- 
ledge of the Love of God may spread. 

May this boundless love so fill your hearts and minds 
that sadness may find no room to enter, and may you with 
joyful hearts soar like birds into the Divine Radiance. 

May your hearts become clear and pure like unto 
polished mirrors in which may be reflected the full glory 
of the Sun of Truth. 

May your eyes be opened to see the signs of the 
Kingdom of God, and may your ears be unstopped so 
that you may hear with a perfect understanding the 
Heavenly Proclamation sounding in your midst. 

May your souls receive help and comfort, and, being 
so strengthened, may they be enabled to live in accord- 
ance with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. 

I pray for each and all that you may be as flames of 
love in the world, and that the brightness of your light 
and the warmth of your affection may reach the heart 
of every sad and sorrowing child of God. 

May you be as shining stars, bright and luminous for 
ever in the Kingdom. 

I counsel you that you study earnestly the teachings 
of Baha'u'llah, so that, God helping you, you may in 
deed and truth become Bahai's. 



CONCERNING BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris, 

Friday morning, November ijth. 

TTHERE are in the world of humanity three 
* degrees ; those of the body, the soul, and spirit. 



88 BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT 

The body is the physical or animal -degree of Man. 
From the bodily point of view Man is a sharer of the 
Animal Kingdom. The bodies alike of men and animals 
are composed of elements held together by the law of 
attraction. 

Like the animal, man possesses the faculties of the 
senses, is subject to heat, cold, hunger, thirst, etc. ; 
unlike the animal, man has a rational soul, the human 
intelligence. 

This intelligence of man is the intermediary between 
his body and his spirit. 

When Man allows the spirit, through his soul, to 
enlighten his understanding, then does he contain all 
Creation ; because Man, being the culmination of all that 
went before and thus superior to all previous evolutions, 
contains all the lower world within himself. Illumined 
by the spirit through the instrumentality of the soul, 
Man's radiant intelligence makes him the crowning- 
point of Creation. 

But on the other hand, when man does not open his 
mind and heart to the Blessing of the Spirit, but turns 
his soul towards the Material side, towards the bodily 
part of his nature, then is he fallen from his high place 
and he becomes inferior to the inhabitants of the lower 
animal kingdom. In this case the man is in a sorry 
plight ! For if the spiritual qualities of the soul, open 
to the Breath of the Divine Spirit, are never used, they 
become atrophied, enfeebled, and at last incapable ; 
whilst the Soul's material qualities alone being exercised, 
they become terribly powerful and the unhappy, mis- 
guided man, becomes more savage, more unjust, more 
vile, more cruel, more malevolent than the lower animals 



BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT 89 

themselves. All his aspirations and desires being 
strengthened by the lower side of the soul's nature, he 
becomes more and more brutal, until his whole being 
is in no way superior to that of the beasts that perish. 
Men such as this, plan to work evil, to hurt and to 
destroy ; they are entirely without the Spirit of Divine 
Compassion, for the celestial quality of the soul has 
been dominated by that of the Material. If, on the 
contrary, the Spiritual nature of the soul has been so 
strengthened that it holds the Material side in subjec- 
tion, then does the man approach the Divine ; his 
humanity becomes so glorified that the virtues of the 
Celestial Assembly are manifested in him ; he radiates 
the Mercy of God, he stimulates the Spiritual progress 
of Mankind, for he becomes a lamp to show light on their 
path. 

You perceive how the soul is the intermediary between 
the body and the Spirit. In like manner is this tree * 
the intermediary between the seed and the fruit. When 
the fruit of the tree appears and becomes ripe, then we 
know that the tree is perfect ; if the tree bore no fruit 
it would be merely a useless growth, serving no purpose 1 

When a soul has in it the Life of the Spirit, then does 
it bring forth good fruit and become a Divine tree. 
I wish you to try to understand this example. I hope 
that the unspeakable goodness of God will so strengthen 
you that the celestial quality of your soul, which relates 
it to the Spirit, will for ever dominate the material side, 
so entirely ruling the senses that your soul will approach 
the perfections of the Heavenly Kingdom. May your 
faces, being steadfastly set towards the Divine Light, 
1 A small Orange-tree on the table near by. 



90 BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT 

become so luminous that all your thoughts, Words and 
actions will shine with the Spiritual Radiance dominating 
your souls, so that in the gatherings of the world you 
will show perfection in your life. 

Some men's lives are solely occupied with the things 
of this world ; their minds are so circumscribed by 
exterior manners and traditional interests that they are 
blind to any other realm of existence, to the spiritual 
significance of all things I They think and dream of 
earthly fame, of material progress. Sensuous delights 
and comfortable surroundings bound their horizon, 
their highest ambitions centre in successes of worldly 
conditions and circumstances ! They curb not their 
lower propensities ; they eat, drink, and sleep ! Like 
the animal, they have no thought beyond their own 
physical well-being. It is true that these necessities 
must be despatched. Life is a load which must be carried 
on while we are on earth, but the cares of thef lower 
things of life should not be allowed to monopolize all the 
thoughts and aspirations of a human being. The heart's 
ambitions should ascend to a more glorious goal, mental 
activity shotild rise to higher levels ! Men should hold 
in their souls the vision of celestial perfection, and there 
prepare a dwelling-place for the Inexhaustible Bounty 
of the Divine Spirit. 

Let your ambition be the achievement on earth of a 
Heavenly Civilization ! I ask for you the Supreme 
Blessing, that you may be so filled with the vitality of 
the Heavenly Spirit that you may be the cause of life 
to the world. 



A BETTER WORLD 91 



THE BAHAIS MUST WORK WITH HEART AND SOUL TO 
BRING ABOUT A BETTER CONDITION IN THE WORLD 

November iqth. 

1LTOW joyful it is to see such a meeting as this, for it is 
* in truth a gathering together of " heavenly men." 

We are all united in one Divine purpose, no material 
motive is ours, and our dearest wish is to spread the 
Love of God throughout the world ! 

We work and pray for the Unity of Mankind, that 
all the races of the earth may become one race, all the 
countries one country, and that all hearts may beat as 
one heart, working together for perfect Unity and 
Brotherhood. 

Praise be to God that our efforts are sincere and that 
our hearts are turned to the Kingdom. Our greatest 
longing is that Truth may be established in the world, 
and in this hope we draw near to one another in love 
and affection. Each and all are whole-hearted and 
self-less, willing to sacrifice all personal ambition to the 
grand ideal towards which they strive : Brotherly 
Love and Peace and Union among men ! 

Doubt not that God is with us, on our right hand 
and on our left, that day by day He will cause our 
numbers to increase, and that our meetings will grow 
in strength and usefulness. 

It is my dearest hope that you may all become a 
blessing to others, that you may give sight to the 
Spiritually blind, hearing to the Spiritually deaf and 
life to those who are dead in sin. 

May you help those sunk in materiality to realize 



92 A BETTER WORLD 

their Divine Son-ship, and encourage them to arise and 
be worthy of their birthright ; so that by your endeavour 
the world of humanity may become the Kingdom of 
God and of His elect. 

I thank God that we are at one in this grand ideal, 
that my longings are also yours and that we work 
together in perfect unity. 

To-day, upon the earth, one sees the sad spectacle of 
cruel war ! Man slays his brother man for selfish gain, 
and to enlarge his territories ! For this ignoble ambition 
hate has taken possession of his heart, and more and 
more blood is shed ! 

Fresh battles are fought, the armies are increased, 
more cannon, more guns, more explosives of all kinds 
are sent out so does bitterness and hate augment from 
day to day ! 

But this assembly, thank God, longs only for peace and 
unity, and must work with heart and soul t'o bring 
about a better condition in the world. 

You who are the servants of God fight against 
oppression^ hate and discord, so that wars may cease 
and God's laws of Peace and Love may be established 
among men. 

Work 1 Work with all your strength, spread the Cause 
of the Kingdom among men ; teach the self-sufficient 
to turn humbly towards God, the sinful to sin no more, 
and await with glad expectation the coming of the 
Kingdom. 

Love and obey your Heavenly Father, and rest 
assured that Divine help is yours. Verily I say unto you 
that you shall indeed conquer the world I 

Only have faith, patience and courage this is but the 



ON CALUMNY 93 

beginning, tut surely you will succeed, for God is with 
you! 

ON CALUMNY 

Monday, November zoth. 

OM the beginning of the world until the present 
time each " Manifestation " x sent from God has been 
opposed by an embodiment of the " Powers of Darkness." 
- This dark power has always endeavoured to extinguish 
the Light. Tyranny has ever sought to overcome 
Justice. Ignorance has persistently tried to trample 
knowledge underfoot. This has, from the earliest ages, 
been the method of the Material World. 

In the time of Moses, Pharaoh set himself to prevent 
the Mosaic Light being spread abroad. 

In the day of Christ, Annas and Caiaphas inflamed the 
Jewish people against Him and the learned doctors of 
Israel joined together to resist His Power. All sorts of 
calumnies were circulated against Him. The Scribes 
and Pharisees conspired to make the people believe 
Him to be a liar, an apostate, and a blasphemer. They 
spread these slanders throughout the whole Eastern 
world against Christ, and caused Him to be condemned 
to a shameful death ! 

In the case of Mohammed also, the learned doctors 
of his day determined to extinguish the light of his 
influence. They tried by the power of the sword to 
prevent the spread of his teaching. 

In spite of all their efforts the Sun of Truth shone 
forth from the Horizon. In every case the Army of 
i j >et Divine Manifestation. 



94 ON CALUMNY 

Light vanquished the Powers of Darkness on the Battle- 
field of the World, and the Radiance of the Divine 
Teaching illumined the Earth. Those who accepted the 
Teaching and worked for the Cause of God, became 
luminous stars in the sky of Humanity. 

Now, in our own day, history repeats itself. 

Those who would have men believe that religion 
is their own private property once more bring their 
efforts to bear against the Sun of Truth : they resist 
the Command of God ; they invent calumnies, not hav- 
ing arguments against it, neither proofs. They attack 
with masked faces, not daring to come forth into the 
Light of day. 

Our methods are different, we do not attack, neither 
calumniate ; we do not wish to dispute with them ; we 
bring forth proofs and arguments ; we invite them to 
confute our statements. They cannot answer us, but 
instead, they write all they can think of against the 
Divine Messenger, Baha'u'llah. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled by these defamatory 
writings !_ Obey the words of BahVllah and answer 
them not. Rejoice rather, that even these falsehoods 
will result in the spread of the Truth. When these 
slanders appear inquiries are made, and those who in- 
quire are led into a knowledge of the Faith. 

If a man were to declare, " There is a lamp in the 
next room which gives no light," one hearer might be 
satisfied with his report, but a wiser man goes into the 
room to judge for himself, and behold, when he finds the 
light shining brilliantly in the lamp he knows the truth 1 

Again, a man proclaims : " There lies a garden in 
which there are trees with broken branches bearing no 



ON CALUMNY 95 

fruit, and the leaves thereof are faded and yellow ! In 
that garden, also, there are flowering plants with no 
blooms, and rose bushes withered and dying Go not 
into that garden ! " A just man, hearing this account 
of the garden, would not be content without seeing for 
himself whether it be true of not. He, therefore, enters 
the garden, and behold he finds it well tilled ; the 
branches of the trees are sturdy and strong, being 
also loaded with the sweetest of ripe fruits amongst the 
luxuriance of beautiful green leaves. The flowering 
plants are bright with many-hued blossoms ; the rose 
bushes are covered with fragrant and lovely roses and 
all is verdant and well tended. When the glory of the 
garden is spread out before the eyes of the just man, he 
praises God that, through unworthy calumny, he has 
been led into a place of such wondrous beauty ! 

This is the result of the slanderer's work : to be the 
cause of guiding men to a discovery of the Truth. 

We know that all the falsehoods spread about Christ 
and His Apostles and all the books written against Him, 
only led the people to inquire into His doctrine ; then, 
having seen the beauty and inhaled the fragrance, they 
walked evermore amidst the roses and the fruits of that 
Celestial garden. 

Therefore, I say unto you, spread the Divine Truth 
with all your might that men's Intelligence may become 
enlightened ; this is the best answer to those who slander. 
I do not wish to speak of those people nor to say 
anything ill of them only to tell you that slander is of 
Ho importance I 

! Clouds may veil the sun, but, be they never so dense, 
his rays will penetrate 1 Nothing can prevent the radi- 



96 ON CALUMNY 

ance of the sun descending to warm and vivify the Divine 
Garden. 

Nothing can prevent the fall of the rain from Heaven. 

Nothing can prevent the fulfilment of the Word of 
God I 

Therefore when you see books and papers written 
against the Revelation, be not distressed, but take 
comfort in the assurance that the cause will thereby 
gain strength. 

No one casts stones at a tree without fruit ! No one 
tries to extinguish a lamp without light ! 

Regard the former times. Had the calumnies of 
Pharaoh any effect ? He affirmed that Moses was a 
murderer, that he had slain a man and deserved to be 
executed I He also declared that Moses and Aaron 
were fomentors of discord, that they tried to destroy the 
religion of Egypt and therefore must be put to death. 
These words of Pharaoh were vainly spoken. The Light 
of Moses shone. The Radiance of the Law of God has 
encircled the world I 

When the Pharisees said of Christ that He had 
broken the* Sabbath Day, that He had defied the Law 
of Moses, that He had threatened to destroy the Temple 
and the Holy City of Jerusalem, and that He deserved 
to be Crucified We know that all these slanderous 
attacks had no result in hindering the spread of the 
Gospel ! 

The Sun of Christ shone brilliantly in the sky, and the 
Breath of the Holy Spirit wafted over the whole earth 1 

And I say unto you that no calumny is able to prevail 
against the Light of God ; it can only result in causing 
it to be more universally recognized. If a cause were 



SPIRITUALITY 97 

of no significance, who would take the trouble to work 
against it ? 

But always the greater the cause the more do enemies 
arise in larger and larger numbers to attempt its over- 
throw ! The brighter the light the darker the shadow ! 
Our part it is to act in accordance with the teaching 
of Baha'u'llah in humility and firm steadfastness. 



THERE CAN BE NO TRUE HAPPINESS AND PROGRESS 
WITHOUT SPIRITUALITY 

November 2ist. 

"T?EROCITY and savagery are natural to animals, but 
A men should show forth the qualities of love and 
affection. God sent all His Prophets into the world with 
one aim, to sow in the hearts of men Love and Goodwill, 
and for this great purpose they were willing to suffer and 
to die. All the sacred Books were written to lead and 
direct man into the ways of Love and Unity ; and yet, 
in spite of all this, we have the sad spectacle of war 
and bloodshed in our midst. 

When we look into the pages of history, past and 
present, we see the black earth reddened by human 
blood. Men kill each other like the savage wolves, 
and forget the laws of Love and Tolerance. 

Now this luminous age has come, bringing with it 
wonderful civilization and material progress. Men's 
intellects have widened, their perceptions grown, but 
alas, in spite of all this, fresh blood is being spilt day by 
day. Look at the present Turco-Italian war/; con- 
sider for a moment the fate of these unhappy people ! 

G 



98 SPIRITUALITY 

How many have been killed during this sad time t How 
many homes are ruined, wives desolate, and children 
orphans 1 And what is to be gained in exchange for all 
this anguish and heartache ? Only a corner of the 
earth ! 

This all shows that material progress alone does not 
tend to uplift man. On the contrary, the more he 
becomes immersed in material progress, the more does 
his Spirituality become obscured. 

In times gone by progress on the material plane was 
not so rapid, neither was there bloodshed in such 
profusion. In ancient warfare there were no cannons, 
no guns, no dynamite, no shells, no torpedo boats, no 
battleships, no submarines. Now, owing to material 
civilization, we have all these inventions, and war goes 
from bad to worse ! Europe itself has become like 
one immense arsenal, full of explosives, and may God 
prevent its ignition for, should this happen, the whole 
world would be involved. 

I want to make you understand that material progress 
and spiritual progress are two very different things, 
and that only if material progress goes hand and hand 
with Spirituality can any real progress come about, and 
the Most Great Peace reign in the World, If men followed 
the Holy Counsels and the Teachings of the Prophets, 
if Divine Light shone in all hearts and men were really 
religious, we should soon see Peace on earth and the 
Kingdom of God among men. The Laws of God may be 
likened unto the soul and material progress unto the 
body. If the body was not animated by the soul, it 
would cease to exist. It is my earnest prayer that 
spirituality may ever grow and increase in the world, 



SPIRITUALITY 99 

so tnat customs may become enlightened and peace and 
concord may be established. 

War and Rapine with their attendant cruelties are an 
abomination to God, and bring their own punishment, 
for the God of Love is also a God of Justice and each man 
must inevitably reap what he sows. Let us try to under- 
stand the Commands of the Most High and to order our 
lives as He directs. True happiness depends on Spiritual 
good and having the heart ever open to receive the Divine 
Bounty. 

If the heart turns away from the blessings God offers 
how can it hope for happiness ? If it does not put its 
hope and trust in God's Mercy, where can it find rest ? 
Oh, trust in God ! for His Bounty is everlasting, and 
in His Blessings, for they are superb. Oh I put your 
faith in the Almighty, for He f aileth not and His goodness 
endureth for ever 1 His Sun giveth Light continually, 
and the Clouds of His Mercy are full of the Waters of 
Compassion with which He waters the hearts of all who 
trust in Him. His refreshing Breeze ever carries Healing 
in its wings to the parched souls of men 1 Is it wise to 
turn away from such a loving Father, Who showers His 
Blessings upon us, and to choose rather to be slaves of 
matter ? 

God in His infinite Goodness has exalted us to so much 
honour, and has made us Masters over the Material 
World. Shall we then become her slaves ? Nay, 
rather let us claim our birthright, and strive to live the 
life of the Spiritual Sons of God. The glorious Sun of 
Truth has once again risen in the East. From the far 
horizon of Persia its radiance is spreading far and wide, 
dispersing the dense clouds of superstition. The Light 



ioo PAIN AND SORROW 

of the Unity of Mankind is beginning to illumine the 
world, and soon the banner of Divine Harmony and the 
solidarity of nations will be flying high in the Heavens. 
Yea, the Breezes of the Holy Spirit will inspire the whole 
world I 

Oh peoples and nations ! Arise and work and be 
happy I Gather together under the tent of the Unitv 
of Mankind I 



PAIN AND SORROW 

November 22nd. 

TN this world we are influenced by two sentiments, 
* Joy and Pain. 

Joy gives us wings ! In times of joy our strength 
is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understand- 
ing less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the 
world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when 
sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, 
our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. 
The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes 
of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we 
become even as dead beings. 

There is no human being untouched by these two 
influences ; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist 
come from the world of matter the Spiritual world 
bestows only the joy ! 

If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and 
all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion. 

For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and 
depression ensues. A workman is dismissed and 



PAIN AND v SORROW 101 

starvation stares him in the face. A farmer has a bad 
harvest, anxiety fills his mind. A man builds a house 
which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway 
homeless, ruined, and in despair. 

All these examples are to show you that the trials 
which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame 
and grief, are born in the world of matter ; whereas 
the Spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man 
living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual 
joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but 
they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are 
calm and serene. 

To-day, Humanity is bowed down with trouble, 
sorrow and grief, no one escapes ; the world is wet with 
tears ; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors. 
Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter 
and live in the Spiritual World ! It alone can give us 
freedom !j If we are hemmed in by difficulties we have 
only to call upon God, and by His great Mercy we shall 
be helped. 

If sorrow and adversity visit us, let us turn our faces 
to the Kingdom and heavenly consolation will be out- 
poured. 

If we are sick and in distress let us implore God's 
healing, and He will answer our prayer. 

When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of 
this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of God's 
compassion and He will send us Heavenly calm ! If we 
are imprisoned in the material world, our Spirit can 
soar into the Heavens and we shall be free indeed 1 

When our days are drawing to a close let us think of the 
eternal worlds, and we shall be full of joy ! 



102 PAIN AND SORROW 

You see all around you proofs of the inadequacy of 
material things how joy, comfort, peace and consolation 
are not to be found in the transitory things of the world. 
Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these treasures 
where they may be found ? The doors of the Spiritual 
Kingdom are open to all, and without is absolute dark- 
ness. 

Thank God that you in this assembly have this know- 
ledge, for in all the sorrows of life you can obtain supreme 
consolation. If your days on earth are numbered, you 
know that everlasting life awaits you. If material 
anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance 
lightens your path. Verily, those whose minds are 
illumined by the Spirit of the Most High have supreme 
consolation. 

I myself was in prison forty years one year alone 
would have been impossible to bear nobody survived 
that imprisonment more than a year ! But, thank 'God, 
during all those forty years I was supremely happy 1 
Every day, on waking, it was like hearing good tidings, 
and every night infinite joy was mine. Spirituality 
was my comfort, and turning to God was my greatest 
joy. If this had not been so, do you think is possible 
that I could have lived through those forty years in 
prison ? 

Thus, Spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts, and 
" Life Everlasting " means " Turning to God." May 
you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you 
be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more 
and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the 
Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly 
Kingdom live and work among you. 



HUMAN VIRTUES 103 

This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant 
you this favour. 



THE PERFECT HUMAN SENTIMENTS AND VIRTUES 

November 23rd. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

"**' You should all be very happy and thankful to God 
for the great privilege that is yours. 

This is a purely Spiritual Meeting ! Praise be to God, 
your hearts are turned to Him, your souls are attracted 
to the Kingdom, you have spiritual aspirations, and 
your thoughts soar above the world of dust. 

You belong to the world of Purity, and are not con- 
tent to live the life of the animal, spending your days in 
eating, drinking, and sleeping. You are indeed men I 
Your thoughts and ambitions are set to acquire human 
perfection. You live to do good and to bring happiness 
to others. Your greatest longing is to comfort those who 
mourn, to strengthen the weak, and to be the cause of 
hope to the despairing soul. Day and night your 
thoughts are turned to the Kingdom, and your hearts are 
full of the Love of God. 

Thus you know neither opposition, dislike, nor hatred, 
for every living creature is dear to you and the good of 
each is sought. 

These are perfect human sentiments and virtues. 
If a man has none of these, he had better cease to exist. 
If a lamp has ceased to give light, it had better be des- 
troyed. If a tree bear no fruit it had better be cut down, 
for it only cumbereth the ground. 



104 HUMAN VIRTUES 

Verily, it is better a thousand times for a man to die 
than to continue living without virtue. 

We have eyes wherewith to see, but if we do not use 
them how do they profit us Pj We have ears wherewith 
to hear, but if we are deaf of what use are they ? 

We have a tongue wherewith to praise God and pro- 
claim the good tidings, but if we are dumb how useless it 
is! 

The All-Loving God created man to radiate the 
Divine Light and to illumine the world by his words, 
action and life. If he is without virtue he becomes no 
better than a mere animal, and an animal devoid of 
intelligence is a vile thing. 

The Heavenly Father gave the priceless gift of in- 
telligence to man so that he might become a spiritual 
light, piercing the darkness of materiality, and bringing 
Goodness and Truth into the world. If ye will follow 
earnestly the teachings of Baha'u'llah, ye shall indeed 
become the Light of the World, the Soul for the Body of 
the World, the Comfort and Help for Humanity, and the 
source of salvation for the whole universe. Strive there- 
fore, with heart and soul, to follow the precepts of the 
Blessed Perfection, and rest assured that if ye succeed 
in living the life He marks out for you, Eternal Life and 
everlasting joy in the Heavenly Kingdom will be yours, 
and celestial sustenance will be sent to strengthen you 
all your days. 

It is my heartfelt prayer that each one of you may 
attain to this perfect joy ! 



SUFFERING OF FOREIGN RACES 105 

THE CRUEL INDIFFERENCE OF PEOPLE TOWARDS THE 
SUFFERING OF FOREIGN RACES 

November 24th. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

^~* I have just been told that there has been a terrible 
accident in this country. A train has fallen into the 
river and at least twenty people have been killed. This 
is going to be a matter for discussion in the French 
Parliament to-day, and the Director of the State Railway 
will be called upon to speak. He will be cross-examined 
as to the condition of the railroad and as to what caused 
the accident, and there will be a heated argument. I 
am filled with wonder and surprise to notice what 
interest and excitement has been aroused throughout 
the whole country on account of the death of twenty 
people, while they remain cold and indifferent to the 
fact that thousands of Italians, Turks, and Arabs are 
killed in Tripoli ! The horror of this wholesale slaughter 
has not disturbed the Government at all ! Yet these 
unfortunate people are human beings too. 

Why is there so much interest and eager sympathy 
shown towards these twenty individuals, while for five 
thousand persons there is none ? They are all men, 
they all belong to the family of mankind, but they are of 
other lands and races. It is no concern of the disinter- 
ested countries if these men are cut to pieces, this 
wholesale slaughter does not affect them ! How un- 
just, how cruel is this, how utterly devoid of any good 
and true feeling ! The people of these other lands have 
children and wives, mothers, daughters, and little sons ! 
In these countries to-day there is hardly a house free 



106 SUFFERING OF FOREIGN RACES 

from the sound of bitter weeping, scarcely can one find a 
home untouched by the cruel hand of war. 

Alas ! we see on all sides how cruel, prejudiced and 
unjust is man, and how slow he is to believe in God 
and follow His commandments. 

If these people would love and help one another 
instead of being so eager to destroy with sword and 
cannon, how much nobler would it be ! How much 
better if they would live like a flock of doves in peace 
and harmony, instead of being like wolves and tearing 
each other to pieces. 

Why is man so hard of heart ? It is because he does 
not yet know God. If he had Knowledge of God he 
could not act in direct opposition to His laws ; if he were 
spiritually minded such a line of conduct would be 
impossible to him. If only the laws and precepts of the 
prophets of God had been believed, understood and 
followed, wars would no longer darken the face of the 
earth. 

If man had even the rudiments of justice, such a state 
of things would be impossible. 

Therefore, I say unto you pray pray and turn your 
faces to God, that He, in His infinite compassion and 
mercy, may help and succour these misguided ones. 
Pray that He will grant them Spiritual understanding 
and teach them tolerance and mercy, that the eyes of 
their minds may be opened and that they may be endued 
with the Gift of the Spirit. Then would Peace and Love 
walk hand in hand through the lands, and these poor 
nihappy people might have rest. 

Let us all strive night and day to help in the bringing 
ibout of better conditions. My heart is broken by these 



SMALLNESS OF OUR NUMBERS 107 

terrible things and cries aloud may this cry reach other 
hearts ! 

Then will the blind see, the dead will be raised, and 
Justice will come and reign upon the earth. 

I beseech you all to pray with heart and soul that this 
may be accomplished. 



WE MUST NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY THE SMALLNESS 
OF OUR NUMBERS 

November 25th. 

EN Christ appeared He manifested Himself at 
Jerusalem. He called men to the Kingdom of 
God, He invited them to Eternal Life and He told them 
to acquire human perfections. The Light of Guidance 
was shed forth by that radiant Star, and He at length 
gave His life in sacrifice for Humanity. 

All through His blessed life He suffered oppression 
and hardship, and in spite of all this Humanity was His 
enemy ! 

They denied Him, scorned Him, ill-treated Him 
and cursed Him. He was not treated like a man 
and yet in spite of all this He was the embodiment of 
Pity and of supreme Goodness and Love. 

He loved all Humanity, but they treated Him as 
an enemy and were incapable of appreciating Him. 
They set no value on His words and were not illumined 
by the Flame of His Love. 

Later they realized who He was ; that He was the 
Sacred and Divine Light, and that His words held 
Eternal Life. 



io8 SMALLNESS OF OUR NUMBERS 

His heart was full of love for all the world, ttis good- 
ness was destined to reach each one and as they 
began to realize these things, they repented but He 
had been crucified ! 

It was not until many years after His ascension that 
they knew who He was, and at the time of His ascension 
He had only a few very disciples ; only a comparatively 
small following believed His precepts and followed His 
laws. The ignorant said, " Who is this individual ; 
He has only a few disciples ! " But those who knew 
said : " He is the Sun who will shine in the East and in 
the West, He is the Manifestation who shall give Life 
to the World." 

What the first disciples had seen the World realized 
later. 

Therefore, you who are in Europe, do not be dis- 
couraged because you are few or because people think 
that your Cause is of no importance. If few people 
come to your gatherings do not lose heart, and if you are 
ridiculed and contradicted be not distressed, for the 
Apostles of Christ had the same to bear. They were 
reviled and persecuted, cursed and ill-treated, but in 
the end they were victorious and their enemies were 
found to be wrong. 

If history should repeat itself and all these same 
things should happen to you, do not be saddened but 
be full of joy, and thank God that you are called upon 
to suffer as holy men of old suffered. If they oppose 
you be gentle with them, if they contradict be firm in 
your faith, if they desert you and flee from before you, 
seek them out and treat them kindly. Do harm to no- 
body ; pray for all ; try to make your light shine in the 



PASTOR WAGNER'S CHURCH 109 

world and. let your banner fly high in the Heavens. The 
beautiful perfume of your noble lives will permeate every- 
where. The light of Truth kindled in your hearts will 
shine out to the distant horizon ! 

The indifference and scorn of the world matters not 
at all, whereas your lives will be of the greatest import- 
ance. 

All those who seek Truth in the Heavenly Kingdom 
shine like stars ; they are like fruit trees laden with 
choice fruit, like seas full of precious pearls. 

Only have faith in the Mercy of God, and spread the 
Divine Truth. 



WORDS SPOKEN BY ABDUL BAHA IN PASTOR WAGNER'S 
CHURCH (FOYER DE L'AME) IN PARIS 

November 26th. 

T AM deeply touched by the sympathetic words which 
* have been addressed to me, and I hope that day by 
day true love and affection may grow among us. God 
has willed that Love should be a vital force in the 
world, and you all know how I rejoice to speak of Love. 

All down the ages the prophets of God have been sent 
into the world to serve the cause of Truth Moses 
brought the Law of Truth, and all the prophets of Israel 
after him sought to spread it. 

When Jesus came He lighted the flaming torch of 
Truth, and carried it aloft so that the whole world might 
be illumined thereby. After Him came His chosen 
Apostles, and they went far and wide, carrying the light 
of their Master's teaching into a dark world and, in 
their turn, passed on. 



no PASTOR WAGNER'S CHURCH 

Then came Mohammed, who in his time and way 
spread the Knowledge of Truth among a savage people ; 
for this has always been the mission of God's elect. 

So at last, when Baha'u'llah arose in Persia, this was 
his most ardent desire, to rekindle the waning light of 
Truth in all lands. All the holy ones of God have tried 
with heart and soul to spread the light of Love and 
Unity throughout the world, so that the darkness of 
materiality might disappear and the Light of Spirituality 
might shine forth among the children of men. Then 
would hate, slander and murder disappear, and in their 
stead Love, Unity and Peace would reign. 

All the Manifestations of God came with the same 
purpose, and they have all sought to lead men into 
the paths of virtue. Yet we, their servants, still dispute 
among ourselves ! Why is it thus ? Why do we not 
love one another and live in unity ? 

It is because we have shut our eyes to the underlying 
principle of all religions, that God is one, that He is the 
Father of us all, that we are all immersed in the ocean 
of His Mercy and sheltered and protected by His loving 
care. 

The glorious Sun of Truth shines for all alike, the 
Waters of Divine Mercy immerse each one, and His 
Divine Favour is bestowed on all His children. 

This loving God desires peace for all His creatures 
why, then, do they spend their time in war ? 

He loves and protects all His children why do they 
forget Him ? 

He bestows His Fatherly care on us all why do we 
neglect our brothers ? 

Surely, when we realize how God loves and cares for 



PASTOR WAGNER'S CHURCH in 

us, we should so order our lives that we may become 
more like Him. 

God has created us, one and all why do we act in 
opposition to His wishes, when we are all His children, 
and love the same Father ? All these divisions we see 
on all sides, all these disputes and opposition, are caused 
because men cling to ritual and outward observances, 
and forget the simple underlying Truth. It is the out- 
ward practices of religion that are so different, and it is 
they that cause disputes and enmity while the Reality 
is always the same, and one. The Reality is the Truth, 
and Truth has no division. Truth is God's guidance, 
it is the Light of the World, it is Love, it is Mercy. These 
attributes of Truth are also human virtues inspired by 
the Holy Spirit. 

So let us one and all hold fast to Truth, and we shall 
be free indeed I 

The day is coming when all the religions of the world 
will unite, for in principle they are one already. There 
is no need for division, seeing that it is only the outward 
forms that separate them. Among the sons of men some 
souls are suffering through ignorance, let us hasten to 
teach them ; others are like children needing care and 
education until they are grown, and some are sick 
to these we must carry Divine healing. 

Whether ignorant, childish or sick, they must be 
loved and helped, and not disliked because of their 
imperfection. 

Doctors of religion were instituted to bring spiritual 
healing to the peoples and to be the cause of unity among 
the nations. If they become the cause of division they 
had better not exist ! A remedy is given to cure a 



112 PASTOR WAGNER'S CHURCH 

disease, but if it only succeeds in aggravating the 
complaint, it is better to leave it alone. If religion is 
only to be a cause of disunion it had better not 
exist. 

All the Divine Manifestations sent by God into the 
world would have gone through their terrible hardships 
and sufferings for the single hope of spreading Truth, 
Unity and Concord among men. Christ endured a life of 
sorrow, pain and grief, to bring a perfect example of 
love into the world and in spite of this we continue to 
act in a contrary spirit one towards the other ! 

Love is the fundamental principle of God's purpose 
for man, and He has commanded us to love each other 
even as He loves us. All these discords and disputes 
which we hear on all sides only tend to increase mate- 
riality. 

The world for the most part is sunk in materialism, 
and the blessings of the Holy Spirit are ignored. There 
is so little real spiritual feeling, and the progress of the 
world is for the most part merely material. Men are 
becoming like unto beasts that perish, for we know that 
they have no spiritual feeling they do not turn to 
God, they have no religion ! These things belong to 
man alone, and if he is without them he is a prisoner 
of nature, and no whit better than an animal. 

How can man be content to lead only an animal 
existence when God has made him so high a creature ? 
All creation is made subject to the laws of nature, but 
man has been able to conquer these laws. The sun, 
in spite of its power and glory, is bound by the laws of 
nature, and cannot change its course by so much as a 
hair's breadth. The great and mighty ocean is power- 



PASTOR WAGNER'S CHURCH 113 

less to change the ebb and flow of its tides nothing 
can stand against Nature's laws but man \ 

But to man God has given such wonderful power that 
he can guide, control and overcome Nature. 

The natural law for man is to walk on the earth, but 
he makes ships and flies in the air ! He is created to 
live on dry land, but he rides on the sea and even travels 
under it ! 

He has learnt to control the power of electricity, and 
he takes it at his will and imprisons it in a lamp ! The 
human voice is made to speak across short distances, 
but man's power is such that he has made instruments 
and can speak from East to West ! All these examples 
show you how man can govern Nature, and how, as it 
were, he wrests a sword from the hand of Nature and 
uses it against herself. Seeing that man has been 
created master of Nature, how foolish it is of him to 
become her slave I What ignorance and stupidity it is 
to worship and adore Nature, when God in His goodness 
has made us masters thereof. God's power is visible 
to all, yet men shut their eyes and see it not. The Sun 
of Truth is shining in all His splendour, but man with 
fast shut eyes cannot behold His glory I It is my earnest 
prayer to God that by His Mercy and Loving Kindness 
you may all be united, and filled with the utmost joy. 

I beseech you, one and all, to add your prayers to 
mine to the end that war and bloodshed may cease, and 
that Love, Friendship, Peace and Unity may reign in 
the World. 

All down the ages we see how blood has stained the 
surface of the earth ; but now a ray of greater light has 
come, man's intelligence is greater, spirituality is 
H 



H4 PASTOR WAGNER'S CHURCH 

beginning to grow, and a time is surely coming when the 
religions of the world will be at peace. Let us leave the 
discordant arguments concerning outward forms, and let 
us join together to hasten forward the Divine Cause 
of Unity, until all humanity knows itself to be one 
family, joined together in love. 



PART II 



The Eleven Principles out of the Teaching of 
BahaVllah, Explained by Abdul Baha in Paris. 

I. The Search after Truth. 
II. The Unity of Mankind. 
III. Religion ought to be the Cause of Love and 

Affection. (Not given separately.) 
IV. The Unity of Religion and Science. 
V. Abolition of Prejudices. 
VI. Equalisation of Means of Existence. 
VII. Equality of Men before the Law. 
VIII. Universal Peace Esperanto. 
IX. Non-Interference of Religion and Politics. 
X. Equality of Sex Education of Women. 
XL The Power of the Holy Spirit. 



THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, PARIS 

CINCE my arrival in Paris, I have been told of the 
^ Theosophical Society, and I know that it is com- 
posed of honoured and respected men. You are men of 
intellect and thought, men with spiritual ideals, and it 
is a great pleasure for me to be among you. 

Let us thank God who has drawn us together this 
evening. It gives me great joy, for I see that you are 
seekers after Truth. You are not held in bondage by 
the chains of prejudice, and your greatest longing is to 
know the Truth. Truth may be likened to the Sun ! 
The Sun is the luminous body that disperses all shadows ; 
in the same way does Truth scatter the shadows of our 

117 



n8 THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 

imagination. As the Sun gives life to the body of 
humanity so does Truth give life to their souls. Truth 
is a sun that rises from different points on the 
horizon. 

Sometimes the sun rises from the centre of the horizon, 
then in summer it rises further north, in winter further 
south but it is always the self-same sun, however 
different are the points of its rising. 

In like manner Truth is one, although its manifesta- 
tions may be very different. Some men have eyes and 
see. These worship the sun, no matter from which 
point on the horizon it may dawn ; and when the sun 
has left the winter sky to appear in the summer one, 
they know how to find it again. Others there are who 
worship only the spot from which the sun arose, and when 
it arises in its glory from another place they remain in 
contemplation before the spot of its former rising. Alas I 
these men are deprived of the blessings of the Sun. 
Those who in truth adore the Sun itself will recognize 
it from whatsoever dawning-place it may appear, and 
will straightway turn their faces towards its radiance. 

We must adore the Sun itself and not merely the 
place of its appearance. In the same way men of 
enlightened heart worship Truth on whatever horizon 
it appears. They are not bound by personality, but 
they follow the Truth, and are able to recognize it no 
matter from whence it may come. It is this same 
Truth which helps humanity to progress, which gives 
life to all created beings, for it is the Tree of Life 1 

In his teachings Baha Vllah gives us the explanation 
of Truth, and I wish to speak to you briefly about this, 
for I see that you are capable of understanding. 



THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 119 

I. The 'first principle of Baha'u'llah is : 
The Search for Truth. 

Man must cut himself free from all prejudice and 
from the result of his own imagination, so that he may 
be able to search for Truth unhindered. Truth is 
one in all religions, and by means of it the unity of the 
world can be realized. 

All the peoples have a fundamental belief in common. 
Being one, Truth cannot be divided, and the differences 
that appear to exist among the nations only result 
from their attachment to prejudice. If only men would 
search out Truth, they would find themselves united. 

II. The second principle of Baha'u'llah is : 
The Unity of Mankind. 

The one all-loving God bestows His divine Grace 
and Favour on all mankind ; one and all are servants 
of the Most High, and His Goodness, Mercy and Loving 
Kindness are showered upon all His creatures. The 
Glory of Humanity is the heritage of each one. 

All men are the leaves and fruit of one same tree, 
they are all branches of the tree of Adam, they all have 
the same origin. The same rain has fallen upon them 
all, the same warm sun makes them grow, they are all 
refreshed by the same breeze. The only differences 
that exist and that keep them apart are these : there 
are the children who need guidance, the ignorant to be 
instructed, the sick to be tended and healed; thus, 
I say that the whole of Humanity is enveloped by the 
Mercy and Grace of God. As the Holy Writings tell 



120 THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 

us : All men are equal before God. He is no respecter 
of persons. 

III. The third principle of Baha'u'llah is : 
Religion should be the Cause of Love and Affection. 

Religion should unite all hearts and cause wars and dis- 
putes to vanish from the face of the earth, give birth to 
Spirituality, and bring Life and Light to each heart. If 
Religion becomes a cause of dislike, hatred and division, 
it were better to be without it, and to withdraw from 
such a Religion would be a truly religious act. For it 
is clear that the purpose of a remedy is to cure * but 
if the remedy should only aggravate the complaint it 
had better be left alone. Any religion which is not a 
cause of Love and Unity is no religion. All the holy 
prophets were as doctors to the soul ; they gave prescrip- 
tions for the healing of mankind ; thus any remedy that 
causes disease does not come from the great and supreme 
Physician. 

IV. The fourth principle of Baha'u'llah is : 
The Unity of Religion and Science. 

We may think of Science as one wing and Religion as 
the other ; a bird needs two wings for flight, one alone 
would be useless. Any religion that contradicts Science 
or that is opposed to it, is only ignorance for Ignorance 
is the opposite of Knowledge. 

Religion which consists only of rites and ceremonies 
of prejudice is not the Truth. Let us earnestly endeavour 
to be the means of uniting Religion and Science. 



THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 121 

Ali, me son-in-law of Mahommed, said : " That which 
is in conformity with Science is also in conformity with 
Religion. " Whatever the Intelligence of man cannot 
understand, Religion ought not to accept. Religion and 
Science walk hand in hand, and any Religion contrary 
to Science is not the Truth. 

V. The fifth principle of Baha'u'llah is : 

Prejudices of Religion, Race or Sect destroy 
the foundation of Humanity. 

All the divisions in the world, hatred, war and blood- 
shed, are caused by one or other of these prejudices. 

The whole world must be looked upon as one single 
country, all the nations as one nation, all men as belong- 
ing to one race. Religions, Races, and Nations are all 
divisions of man's making only, and are necessary only 
in his thought ; before God there are neither Persians, 
Arabs, French nor English ; God is God for all, and to 
Him all creation is one. We must obey God, and strive 
to follow Him by leaving all our prejudices and bring- 
ing about peace on earth. 

VI. The sixth principle of Baha'u'llah is : 

Equal opportunity of the means of Existence. 

Every human being has the right to live ; they have a 
right to rest, and to a certain amount of well-being. As 
a rich man is able to live in his palace surrounded by 
luxury and the greatest comfort, so should a poor man be 
able to have the necessaries of life. Nobody should die 
of hunger ; everybody should have sufficient clothing ; 



122 THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 

one man should not live in excess while anottier has no 
possible means of existence. 

Let us try with all the strength we have to bring about 
happier conditions, so that no single soul may be des- 
titute. 

VII. The seventh principle of Baha'u'llah is : 
The Equality of Men equality before the Law. 

The Law must reign, and not the individual ; thus will 
the world become a place of beauty and true brotherhood 
will be realized. Having attained Solidarity, men will 
have found Truth. 

VIII. The eighth principle of Baha'u'llah is : 
Universal Peace. 

A Supreme Tribunal shall be elected by the peoples 
and Governments of every nation, where members from 
each country and government shall assemble in unity. 
All disputes shall be brought before this Court, its mission 
being to prevent war. 

IX. The ninth principle of Baha'u'llah is : 

That Religion should not concern itself with Political 
Questions. 

Religion is concerned with things of the Spirit, politics 
with things of the world. Religion has to work with the 
world of thought, whilst the field of politics lies in the 
world of external conditions. 

It is the work of the clergy to educate the people, to 



THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 123 

instruct them, to give them good advice and teaching so 
that they may progress spiritually. With political 
questions they have nothing to do. 

X. The tenth principle of Baha'u'llah is : 

Education and Instruction of Women. 

Women have equal rights with men upon earth ; 
in Religion and in Society they are a very important 
element. As long as women are prevented from attain- 
ing their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable 
to achieve the greatness which might be theirs. 

XL The eleventh principle of Baha'u'llah is : 

The Power of the Holy Spirit, by which alone Spiritual 
Development is achieved. 

It is only by the Breath of the Holy Spirit that spiritual 
development can come about. No matter how the 
material world may progress, no matter how splendidly 
it may adorn itself, it can never be anything but a 
lifeless body unless the soul is within, for it is the soul 
that animates the body ; the body alone has no real 
significance. Deprived of the blessings of the Holy 
Spirit the material body would be inert. 

Here are, very briefly explained, some of the principles 
of Baha'u'llah. 

In short, it behoves us all to be lovers of Truth. Let 
us seek her in every season and in every country, being 
careful never to attach ourselves to personalities. Let us 
see the Light wherever it shines, and may we be enabled 
to recognize the Light of Truth no matter where it may 



124 THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 

arise. Let us inhale the perfume of the Rose from the 
midst of thorns which surround it ; let us drink the 
running water from every pure Spring. 

Since I arrived in Paris, it has given me much pleasure 
to meet such Parisians as you are, for, praise be to God, 
you are intelligent, unprejudiced, and you long to know 
the Truth. You have in your hearts the love of human- 
ity, and as far as you are able, you exert yourselves in the 
cause of charitable work and in the bringing about of 
Unity ; this is especially what Baha'u'llah desired. 

It is for this reason that I am so happy to be among 
you, and I pray for you, that you may be receptacles for 
the Blessings of God, and that you may be the means of 
spreading Spirituality throughout this country. 

You already have a wonderful material civilization 
and in like manner shall spiritual civilization be yours. 

Monsieur Bleck thanked Abdul Baha, and he replied : 

" I am very grateful to you for the kind sentiments 
which you have just uttered. I hope that these two 
movements will ere long be spread all over the earth. 
Then will the Unity of Humanity have pitched its tent 
in the centre of the world." 



SEARCH AFTER TRUTH 125 

THE FIRST PRINCIPLE SEARCH AFTER TRUTH 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris. 

November loth. 

first Principle of the Teaching of Baha'u'llah 
is: 

The Search after Truth. 

If a man would succeed in his search after Truth, he 
must, in the first place, shut his eyes to all the traditional 
superstitions of the past. 

The Jews have traditional superstitions, the Buddhists 
and the Zoroastrians are not free from them, neither are 
the Christians ! All Religions have gradually become 
bound by tradition and dogma. 

All consider themselves, respectively, the only Guar- 
dians of the Truth, and that every other Religion is 
composed of errors. They themselves are right, all 
others are wrong ! The Jews believe that they are the 
only possessors of the Truth and condemn al) other 
Religions. The Christians affirm that their Religion is 
the only true one, that all others are false. Likewise 
the Buddhists and Mohammedans ; all limit themselves. 
If all condemn one another, where shall we search 
for Truth ? All contradicting one another, all cannot be 
True. If each believe their particular Religion to be the 
only true one, they blind their eyes to the Truth in the 
others. If, for instance, a Jew is bound by the external 
practice of the Religion of Israel, he does not permit 
himself to perceive that Truth can exist in any other 
Religion ; it must be all contained in his own ! 

We should, therefore, detach ourselves from the 
external forms and practices of Religion. We must 



126 SEARCH AFTER TRUTH 

realize that these forms and practices, however beautiful, 
are but garments clothing the warm heart and the living 
limbs of Divine Truth. We must abandon the pre- 
judices of tradition if we would succeed in finding the 
Truth at the core of all Religions. If a Zoroastrian 
believes that the Sun is God, how can he be united to 
other Religions ? While idolaters believe in their 
various idols, how can they understand the oneness of 
God? 

It is, therefore, clear that in order to make any 
progress in the search after truth we must relinquish 
Superstition. If all seekers would follow this principle 
they would obtain a clear Vision of the Truth. 

If five people meet together to seek for Truth, they 
must begin by cutting themselves free from all their own 
special conditions and -renouncing all preconceived 
ideas. In order to find Truth we must give up our 
prejudices, our own small trivial notions ; an open 
receptive mind is essential. If our chalice is full of 
self, there is no room in it for the Waterof Life. The fact 
that we imagine ourselves to be right and everybody else 
wrong is flie greatest of all obstacles in the path towards 
Unity, and Unity is necessary if we would reach Truth, 
for Truth is One. 

Therefore it is imperative that we should renounce 
our own particular prejudices and superstitions if we 
earnestly desire to seek the Truth. Unless we make a 
distinction in our minds between dogma, superstition and 
prejudice on the one hand, and Truth on the other, we 
cannot succeed. When we are in earnest in our search 
for anything we look for it everywliejre. This Principle 
we must carry out in our search for Truth. 



UNITY OF MANKIND 127 

Science must be accepted. No one Truth can con- 
tradict another Truth. Light is good in whatsoever 
lamp it is burning ! A rose is beautiful in whatsoever 
garden it may bloom 1 A star has the same radiance 
if it shines from the East or from the West. Be free 
from prejudice, so will you love the Sun of Truth from 
whatsoever point in the horizon it may arise ! You will 
realize that if the Divine Light of Truth shone in Jesus 
Christ it also shone in Moses and in Buddha. The 
earnest seeker will arrive at this Truth. This is what is 
meant by the " Search after Truth." 

It means, also, that we must be willing to clear away 
all that we have previously learned, all that would clog 
our steps on the Way to Truth ; we must not shrink if 
necessary from beginning our education all over again. 
We must not allow our love for any one Religion or any 
one Personality to so blind our eyes that we become 
fettered by superstition ! When we are freed from 
all these bonds, seeking with liberated minds, then shall 
we be able to arrive at our goal. 

" Seek the Truth, the Truth shall make you free/' 
So shall we see the Truth in all Religions, for Truth is in 
all and Truth is one ! 



THE SECOND PRINCIPLE THE UNITY OF MANKIND 

November nth. 

T SPOKE yesterday of the first principle of the Teaching 
* of Baha'u'llah, " The Search for Truth ; " how it is 
necessary for a man to put aside all in the nature of 
superstition, and every tradition which would blind his 



128 UNITY OF MANKIND 

eyes to the existence of Truth in all Religions. He must 
not, while loving and clinging to one form of Religion, 
permit himself to detest all others. It is essential that 
he search for Truth in all Religions, and, if his seeking 
be in earnest, he will assuredly succeed. 

Now the first discovery which we make in our " Search 
after Truth," will lead us to the Second Principle, which 
is the " Unity of Mankind." All men are servants of 
the One God. One God reigns over all the Nations of the 
World and has pleasure in all His Children. All men are 
of one family ; the crown of humanity rests on the 
head of every human being. 

In the eyes of the Creator all His children < 
His goodness is poured forth on all. He does^ 
this nation nor that nation, all alike are His Creatures. 
This being so, why should we make divisions, separating 
one race from another ? Why should we create barriers 
of superstition and tradition bringing discord and hatred 
among the people ? 

The only difference between members of the human 
family is that of degree. Some are like children who are 
ignorant, and must be educated until they arrive at 
maturity. Some are like the sick and must be treated 
with tenderness and care. None are bad or evil I 
We must not feel repelled by these poor children. We 
must treat them with great kindness, teaching the 
ignorant and tenderly nursing the sick. 

Consider : Unity is necessary to existence. Love is 
the very Cause of Life ; on the other hand, separation 
brings death. In the world of material creation, for 
instance, all things owe their actual life to Unity. The 
elements which compose wood, mineral, or stone, are 



UNITY OF MANKIND 129 

held together by the Law of Attraction. If this Law 
should cease for one moment to operate these elements 
would not hold together, they would fall apart, and the 
object would in that particular form cease to exist. 
The Law of Attraction has brought together certain 
elements in the form of this beautiful flower, but when 
that attraction is withdrawn from this centre the 
flower will decompose, and, as a flower, cease to exist. 

So it is with the great Body of Humanity. The 
wonderful Law of Attraction, Harmony and Unity, 
holds together this marvellous Creation. 

As with the whole, so with the parts ; whether a 
flower or a human body, when the attracting principle 
is withdrawn from it, the flower or the man dies. It is 
therefore clear that Attraction, Harmony, Unity and 
Love, are the cause of Life, whereas Repulsion, Discord, 
Hatred and Separation bring Death. 

We have seen that whatever brings Division into the 
world of existence causes Death. Likewise in the World 
of the Spirit does the same Law operate. 

Therefore should every servant of the One God be 
obedient to the Law of Love, avoiding all Hatred 
Discord, and Strife. We find when we observe Nature, 
that the gentler animals group themselves together into 
flocks and herds, whereas the savage ferocious creatures, 
such as the lion, the tiger, and the wolf, live in wild 
forests, apart from civilization. Two wolves, or two 
lions, may live amicably together ; but a thousand 
lambs may share the same fold and a large number of 
deer can form one herd. Two eagles can dwell in the 
same place, but a thousand does can gather into one 
habitation. 
i 



130 RELIGION AND SCIENCE 

Man should, at least, be numbered among the gentler 
animals ; but when he becomes ferocious he is more 
cruel and malicious than the most savage of the animal 
creation ! 

Now Baha'u'llah has proclaimed the " Unity of the 
World of Mankind/ 1 All peoples and nations are of 
one family, the children of one Father, and should be to 
one another as brothers and sisters ! I hope that you 
will endeavour in your lives to show forth and spread 
this teaching. 

Baha'u'llah said that we should love even our enemies 
and be to them as friends. If all men were obedient to 
this Principle, the Greatest Unity and understanding 
would be established' in the hearts of mankind. 



THIRD PRINCIPLE 

[" THAT Religion ought to be a Cause of Love and 
Affection " is much emphasised in many of the Dis- 
courses of which the Notes are given in this book, as 
well as in "the Explanation of several of the other 
Principles.] 



FOURTH PRINCIPLE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RELATION 
BETWEEN RELIGION AND SCIENCE 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris, 

November 12th. 
A BDUL BAHA said : 

** I have spoken to you of some of the principles 
of Baha'u'llah : The Search after Truth and The Unity 



RELIGION AND SCIENCE 131 

of Mankind. I will now explain the Fourth Principle* 
which is The Acceptance of the Relation between 
Religion and Science. 

There is no contradiction between True Religion and 
Science. When a Religion is opposed to Science it 
becomes mere superstition : that which is contrary to 
Knowledge is Ignorance. 

How can a man believe to be a fact that which 
Science has proved to be impossible ? If he believes 
in spite of his reason, it is rather ignorant superstition 
than faith. The true principles of all Religions are in 
conformity with the teachings of Science. 

The Unity of God is logical, and this idea is not 
antagonistic to the conclusions arrived at by scientific 
study. 

All religions teach that we must do good, that we 
must be generous, sincere, truthful, law-abiding, and 
faithful ; all this is reasonable, and logically the only 
way in which Humanity can progress. 

All Religious Laws conform to Reason, and are suited 
to the people for whom they are framed, and for the age 
in which they are to be obeyed. 

Religion has two main parts : 

(1) The Spiritual. 

(2) The Practical. 

The Spiritual part never changes. All the Manifesta- 
tions of God and His Prophets have taught the same 
Truths and given the same Spiritual Law. They all 
teach the one code of Morality. There is no division 
in the Truth. The Sun has sent forth many rays to 
illumine human intelligence, the light is always the 
same. 



132 RELIGION AND SCIENCE 

The practical part of Religion deals with exterior 
forms and ceremonies, and with modes of punishment 
for certain offences. This is the material side of the law, 
and guides the customs and manners of the people. 

In the time of Moses, there were ten crimes punishable 
by death. When Christ came this was changed ; the 
old axiom " an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth " 
was converted into " Love your enemies, do good to 
them that hate you/' the stern old law being changed 
into one of love, mercy and forbearance ! 

In the former days the punishment for theft was the 
cutting off of the right hand ; in our time this law could 
not be so applied. In this age, a man who curses his 
father is allowed to live, when formerly he would have 
been put to death. It is therefore evident that whilst 
the Spiritual Law never alters, the practical rules must 
change their application with the necessities of the time. 
The Spiritual aspect of Religion is the greater, the more 
important of the two, and this is the same for all time, 
it never changes ! It is the same, yesterday, to-day, 
and for evr ! " As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be." 

Now, all questions of Morality contained in the 
Spiritual, immutable Law of every Religion are logic- 
ally right. If Religion were contrary to logical Reason 
then it would cease to be a Religion and be merely a 
tradition. Religion and Science are the two wings 
upon which man's intelligence can soar into the heights, 
with which the human soul can progress. It is not 
possible to fly with one wing alone 1 Should a man try 
to fly with the wing of Religion alone he would quickly 
fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other 



RELIGION AND SCIENCE 133 

hand, with the wing of Science alone he would also 
make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough 
of materialism. All religions of the present day have 
fallen into superstitious practices, out of harmony 
alike with the true principles of the teaching they repre- 
sent and with the scientific discoveries of the time. 
Many Religious Leaders have grown to think that the 
importance of Religion lies mainly in the adherence 
to a collection of certain dogmas and the practice of 
rites and ceremonies ! Those whose souls they profess 
to cure are taught to believe likewise, and these cling 
tenaciously to the outward forms, confusing them 
with the inward Truth. 

Now, these forms and rituals differ in the various 
Churches and amongst the different sects, and even 
contradict one another ; giving rise to discord, hatred, 
and disunion. The outcome of all this dissension is the 
belief of many cultured men that Religion and Science 
are contradictory terms, that Religion needs no powers 
of reflection, and should in no wise be regulated by 
Science, but must of necessity be opposed, the one 
to the other. The unfortunate effect of this is that 
Science has drifted apart from Religion, and Religion 
has become a mere blind and more or less apathetic 
following of the precepts of certain Religious teachers, 
who insist on their own favourite dogmas being accepted 
even when they are contrary to Science. This is foolish- 
ness, for it is quite evident that Science is the Light, and, 
being so, Religion truly so-called does not oppose 
knowledge. 

We are familiar with the phrases " Light and Dark- 
ness/' " Religion and Science." But the Religion which 



134 RELIGION AND SCIENCE 

does not walk hand in hand with Science is itself in the 
Darkness of Superstition and Ignorance. 

Much of the discord and disunion of the world is 
created by these man-made oppositions and con- 
tradictions. If Religion were in harmony with Science 
and they walked together, much of the hatred and bitter- 
ness now bringing misery to the Human Race would be 
at an end. 

Consider what it is that singles Man out from among 
created beings, and makes of him a creature apart. 
Is it not his reasoning power, his intelligence ? Shall 
he not make use of these in his study of Religion ? 
I say unto you : weigh carefully in the balance of Reason 
and Science everything that is presented to you as 
Religion. If it passes this test, then accept it, for it is 
Truth ! If, however, it does not so conform, then 
reject it, for it is ignorance ! 

Look around and see how the world of to-day is 
drowned in superstition and outward forms ! 

Some worship the product of their own imagination : 
they make for themselves an imaginary God and adore 
this, when the creation of their finite minds cannot be 
the Infinite Mighty Maker of all things visible and 
invisible ! Others worship the sun or trees, also stones 1 
In past ages there were those who adored the sea, the 
clouds, and even clay ! 

To-day,, men have grown into such adoring attach- 
ment to outward forms and ceremonies that they dis- 
pute over this point of ritual or that particular practice, 
until one hears on all sides of wearisome arguments and 
unrest. There are individuals who have weak intellects 
and their powers of reasoning have not developed, but 



RELIGION AND SCIENCE 135 

the strength and power of Religion must not be doubted 
because of the incapacity of these persons to understand. 

A small child cannot comprehend the laws that 
govern Nature, but this is on account of the immature 
intellect of that child ; when he is grown older and has 
been educated he too will understand the Everlasting 
Truths. A child does not grasp the fact that the earth 
revolves round the sun, but, when his intelligence is 
awakened, the fact is clear and plain to him, 

It is impossible for Religion to be contrary to Science, 
even though some intellects are too weak or too immature 
to understand Truth. 

God made Religion and Science to be the measure, as 
it were, of our understanding. Take heed that you neg- 
lect not such a wonderful power. Weigh all things in 
this balance. 

To him who has the power of comprehension Religion 
is like an open book, but how can it be possible for a 
man devoid of reason and intellectuality to under- 
stand the Divine Realities of God ? 

Put all your beliefs into harmony with science ; 
there can be no opposition, for Truth is One. When 
Religion, shorn of its superstitions, traditions, and 
unintelligent dogmas, shows its conformity with science, 
then will there be a great unifying, cleansing force in the 
world, which will sweep before it all wars, disagree- 
ments, discords and struggles and then will mankind 
be united in the Power of the Love of God. 



136 ABOLITION OP PREJUDICES 



THE FIFTH PRINCIPLE OF THE TEACHING OF 

BAHA'U'LLAH is : 

THE ABOLITION OF PREJUDICES 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris, 
November I3/A. 

A LL Prejudices, whether of Religion, Race, Politics or 
** Nation, must be renounced, for these prejudices 
have caused the world's sickness. It is a grave malady 
which, unless arrested, is capable of causing the destruc- 
tion of the whole Human Race. Every ruinous war, 
with its terrible bloodshed and misery, has been caused 
by one or other of these prejudices. 

The deplorable wars going on in these days are caused 
by the fanatical religious hatred of one people for another, 
or the prejudices of race or colour. 

Until all these barriers erected by prejudice are 
swept away, it is not possible for humanity to be at 
peace. For this reason BahaVllah has said, " These 
Prejudices are destructive to mankind/ 1 

Contemplate first the Prejudice of Religion : consider 
the nations of so-called Religious people ; if they were 
truly worshippers of God they would obey His Law 
which forbids them to kill one another. 

If Priests of Religion really adored the God of Love 
and served the Divine Light, they would teach their 
people to keep the chief Commandment, " To be in Love 
and Charity with all men." But we find the contrary, 
for it is often the Priests who encourage Nations to 
fight. Religious hatred is ever the most cruel ! 

All Religions teach that we should love one another ; 



ABOLITION OF PREJUDICES 137 

that we should seek out our own shortcomings before we 
presume to condemn the faults of others, that we must 
not consider ourselves superior to our neighbours ! 
We must be careful not to exalt ourselves lest we be 
humiliated. 

Who are we that we should judge ? How shall we 
know who, in the Sight of God, is the most upright man ? 
God's thoughts are not like our thoughts ! How many 
men who have seemed saint-like to their friends have 
fallen into the greatest humiliation. Think of Judas 
Iscariot ; he began well, but remember his end ! On the 
other hand, Paul, the Apostle, was in his early life an 
enemy of Christ, whilst later be became His most faithful 
servant. How then can we flatter ourselves and despise 
others ? 

Let us therefore be humble, without prejudices, 
preferring others' good to our own ! Let us never 
say, " I am a believer but he is an Infidel," " I am near to 
God, whilst he is an outcast/ 1 We can never know what 
will be the final judgment I Therefore let us help all 
who are in need of any kind of assistance. 

Let us teach the ignorant, and take care of the young 
child until he grows to maturity. When we find a 
person fallen into the depths of misery or sin we must be 
kind to him, take him by the hand, help him to regain 
his footing, his strength ; we must guide him with love 
and tenderness, treat him as a friend not as an enemy. 

We have no right to look upon any of our fellow- 
mortals as evil. 

Concerning the prejudice of race : it is an illusion, 
a superstition pure and simple ! For God created us all 
of one race. There were no differences in the beginning, 



138 ABOLITION OF PREJUDICES 

for we are all descendants of Adam. In the beginning, 
also, there were no limits and boundaries between the 
different lands ;] no part of the earth belonged more to 
one people than to another. In the sight of God there 
is no difference between the various races. Why should 
man invent such a prejudice ? How can we uphold 
War caused by an illusion ? 

God has not created men that they should destroy 
one another. All races, tribes, sects and classes share 
equally in the Bounty of their Heavenly Father. 

The only difference lies in the degree of faithfulness, 
of obedience to the Laws of God. There are some who 
are as lighted torches, there are others who shine as 
stars in the sky of Humanity. The lovers of mankind, 
these are the superior men, of whatever nation, creed, 
or colour they may be. For it is they to whom God will 
say these Blessed Words, " Well done, My good and 
faithful servants." In that day He will not ask, " Are 
you English, French, or perhaps Persian ? Do you 
come from the East, or from the West ? " 

The only division that is real is this : There are 
heavenly men and earthly men ;] self-sacrificing ser- 
vants of humanity in the Love of the Most High, bring- 
ing Harmony and Unity, teaching Peace and Goodwill 
to men. On the other hand there are those selfish men, 
haters of their brethren, in whose hearts prejudice has 
replaced loving kindness, and whose influence breeds 
discord and strife. 

To which race or to which colour belong these two 
divisions of men, to the White, to the Yellow, to the 
Black, to the East or to the West, to the North or to 
the South ? If these are God's divisions, why should we 



ABOLITION OF PREJUDICES 139 

invent others ? Political prejudice is equally mis- 
chievous, it is one of the greatest causes of bitter strife 
amongst the children of men. There are people who find 
pleasure in breeding discord, who constantly endeavour 
to goad their country into making war upon other 
nations and why ? They think to advantage their 
own country to the detriment of all others. They send 
armies to harass and destroy the land, in order to become 
famous in the world, for the joy of conquest. That it 
may be said : " Such a country has defeated another, 
and brought it under the yoke of their stronger, more 
superior rule. This victory, bought at the price of 
much bloodshed, is not lasting ! The conqueror shall 
one day be conquered ; and the vanquished ones 
victorious ! Remember the history of the past : did 
not France conquer Germany more than once then did 
not the German nation overcome France ? 

We learn also that France conquered England ; 
then was the English Nation victorious over France! 

These glorious conquests are so ephemeral ! Why 
attach so great importance to them and to their fame, as 
to be willing to shed the blood of the people for their 
attainment ? Is any victory worth the inevitable train 
of evils consequent upon human slaughter, the grief 
and sorrow and ruin which must overwhelm so many 
homes of both nations ? For it is not possible that one 
country alone should suffer. 

Oh 1 why will man, the disobedient Child of God, 
who should be an example of the Power of the Spiritual 
Law, turn his face away from the Divine Teaching and 
put all his effort into destruction and war ? 

My hope is that in this enlightened century the Divine 



40 MEANS OF EXISTENCE 

Light of Love will shed its Radiance over the whole 
world, seeking out the responsive heart's intelligence of 
every human being ; that the Light of the Sun of Truth 
will lead politicians to shake off all the claims of pre- 
judice and superstition, and with freed minds to follow 
the Policy of God : for Divine Politics are mighty, 
man's politics are feeble ! God has created all the 
world, and bestows His Divine Bounty upon every 
creature. 

Are we not the Servants of God ? Shall we neglect 
to follow our Master's Example, and ignore His Com- 
mands ? 

I pray that the Kingdom shall come on Earth, and that 
all darkness shall be driven away by the effulgence of the 
Heavenly Sun. 



THE SIXTH PRINCIPLE MEANS OF EXISTENCE 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris. 

/"\NE of the most important principles of the Teaching 
^ of Baha'u'llah is : 

The Right of every human being to the daily Bread 
whereby they exist, or The Equalisation of the Means of 
Livelihood. 

The arrangements of the circumstances of the people 
must be such that Poverty shall disappear, that every- 
one, as far as possible, according to his rank and position, 
shall share in comfort and well-being. 

We see amongst us men who are overburdened with 
riches on the one hand, and on the other those unfortun- 
ate ones who starve with nothing ; those who possess 



MEANS OF EXISTENCE 141 

several stately palaces, and those who have not where to 
lay their head. Some we find with numerous courses 
of costly and dainty food ; whilst others can scarce find 
sufficient crusts to keep them alive. Whilst some are 
clothed in velvets, furs and fine linen, others have in- 
sufficient, poor and thin garments with which to protect 
them from the cold. 

This condition of affairs is wrong, and must be 
remedied. Now the remedy must be carefully under- 
taken. It cannot be done by bringing to pass absolute 
equality between men. 

Equality is a chimera ! It is entirely impracticable I 
Even if equality could be achieved it could not continue 
and if its existence were possible, the whole order of the 
world would be destroyed. The Law of Order must 
always obtain in the world of Humanity. Heaven has 
so decreed in the Creation of Man. 

Some are full of intelligence, others have an ordinary 
amount of it, and others again are devoid of Intellect. 
In these three classes of men there is order but not 
equality. How could it be possible that wisdom and 
stupidity should be equal ? Humanity, like a great 
army, requires a General, Captains, under-officers in 
their degree, and soldiers, each with their own appointed 
duties. Degrees are absolutely necessary to ensure 
an orderly organisation. An army could not be com- 
posed of Generals alone, or of Captains only, or of 
nothing but soldiers without one in authority. The 
certain result of such a plan would be that disorder 
and demoralisation would overtake the whole army, 

King Lycurgus, the Philosopher, made a great plan 
to equalise the subjects of Sparta ; with self-sacrifice 



142 MEANS OF EXISTENCE 

and wisdom was the experiment begun. Then the 
King called the people of his kingdom, and made them 
swear a great oath to maintain the same order of govern- 
ment if he should leave the country, also that nothing 
should make them alter it until his return. Having 
secured this oath, he left his Kingdom of Sparta and 
never returned. Lycurgus abandoned the situation, 
renouncing his high position, thinking to achieve the 
permanent good of his country by the equalisation of 
the property and of the conditions of life in his Kingdom. 
All the self-sacrifice of the King was in vain. The great 
experiment failed. After a time all was destroyed ; 
his carefully thought-out Constitution came to an end. 

The futility of attempting such a scheme was shown 
and the impossibility of attaining equal conditions 
of existence was proclaimed in the ancient Kingdom 
of Sparta. In our day any such attempt would be 
equally doomed to failure. 

Certainly, some being enormously rich and others 
lamentably poor, an organisation is necessary to control 
and improve this state of affairs. It is important to 
limit riches, as it is also of importance to limit poverty. 
Either extreme is not good. To be seated in the mean 1 
is most desirable. If it be right for a Capitalist to possess 
a large fortune, it is equally just that his workman should 
have a sufficient means of existence. 

A Financier with colossal wealth should not exist 
whilst near him is a poor man in dire necessity. When 
we see poverty allowed to reach a condition of starvation 
it is a sure sign that somewhere we shall find tyranny. 
Men must bestir themselves in this matter, and no 

" Give me neither poverty nor riches." Prov. xxx., 8. 



EQUALITY OF MEN 143 

longer delay in altering conditions which bring the misery 
of grinding poverty to a very large number of the people. 
The rich must give of their abundance, they must soften 
their hearts and cultivate a compassionate intelligence, 
taking thought for those sad ones who are suffering from 
lack of the very necessities of life. 

There must be special laws made, dealing with these 
extremes of Riches and of Want. The members of 
the Government should consider the Laws of God when 
they are framing plans for the ruling of the people. 
The general rights of mankind must be guarded and 
preserved. 

The Government of the Countries should conform 
to the Divine Law which gives equal justice to all. 
This is the only way in which the deplorable superfluity 
of great wealth and miserable, demoralising, degrading 
poverty can be abolished. Not until this is done will 
the Law of God be obeyed. 



SEVENTH PRINCIPLE EQUALITY OF MEN 

" The Laws of God are not Impositions of Will, or 
of Power, or Pleasure, but the Resolutions of Truth, 
Reason and Justice." 

All men are equal before the Law, which must reign 
absolutely. 

The object of punishment is not vengeance, but the 
prevention of crime. 

Kings must rule with wisdom and justice ; prince, 
peer and peasant alike have equal rights to just treat- 
ment, there must be no favour shown to individuals. A 



144 UNIVERSAL PEACE 

Judge must be no " respecter of persons/ 7 but administer 
the Law with strict impartiality in every case brought 
before him. 

If a person commit a crime against you, you have 
not the right to forgive him ; but the Law must punish 
him in order to prevent a repetition of that same crime 
by others, as the pain of the individual is unimportant 
beside the general welfare of the People. 

When perfect justice reigns in every country of the 
Eastern and Western World, then will the Earth become 
a place of beauty. The dignity and equality of every 
servant of God will be acknowledged ; the ideal of the 
solidarity of the Human Race, the true Brotherhood of 
Man, will be realized ; and the Glorious Light of the 
Sun of Truth will illumine the souls of all men. 



THE EIGHTH PRINCIPLE. 
UNIVERSAL PEACE ESPERANTO 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris. 

A SUPREME Tribunal shall be established by the 
*^ peoples and Governments of every nation, com- 
posed of members elected from each Country and 
Government. The members of this Great Council shall 
assemble in Unity. All disputes of an international 
character shall be submitted to this Court, its work 
being to arrange by arbitration everything which 
otherwise would be a cause of war. The mission of 
this Tribunal would be to prevent war. 

One of the great steps towards Universal Peace 
would be the establishment of a Universal Language, 



UNIVERSAL PEACE 145 

Baha'u'llah commands that the servants of humanity 
should meet together, and either choose a language which 
now exists, or form a new one. This was revealed in 
the Kitab-el-Akdas (The Book of Laws) forty years 
ago. It is there pointed out that the question of 
diversity of tongues is a very difficult one. There are 
more than eight hundred languages in the world, and 
no person could acquire them all. 

The races of mankind are not isolated as in former 
days. Now, in order to be in close relationship with all 
countries it is necessary to be able to speak their tongues. 

A Universal Language would make intercourse possible 
with every nation. Thus it would be needful to know 
two languages only, the Mother tongue and the 
Universal Speech. The latter would enable a man to 
communicate with any and every man in the world ! 

A third language would not be needed. To be able 
to talk with a member of any race and country without 
requiring an interpreter, how helpful and restful to 
all! 

Esperanto has been drawn up with this end in view : 
it is a fine indention and a splendid piece of work, but 
it needs perfecting. Esperanto as it stands is very 
difficult for some people. 

An international Congress should be formed, consisting 
of delegates from every nation in the world, Eastern as 
well as Western. This Congress should form a language 
that could be acquired by all, and every country would 
thereby reap great benefit. 

Until such a language is in use, the world will continue 
to feel the vast need of this means of intercourse. 
Difference of speech is one of the most fruitful causes 
K 



146 RELIGION AND POLITICS 

of dislike and distrust that exists between nations, 
which are kept apart by their inability to understand 
each other's language more than by any other reason. 

If everybody could speak one language, how much 
more easy would it be to serve Humanity 1 

Therefore appreciate " Esperanto/ 1 for it is the be- 
ginning of the carrying out of one of the most important 
of the Laws of Baha'u'llah, and it must continue to be 
improved and perfected. 



NINTH PRINCIPLE 
THE NON-INTERFERENCE OF RELIGION WITH POLITICS 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris, 
November xjth. 

TN the Conduct of life, man is actuated by two main 
motives : " The Hope for Reward " and* " The 
Fear of Punishment/ 1 

This hope and this fear must consequently be greatly 
taken into account by those in authority who have 
important "posts under Government. Their business 
in life it is to consult together for the framing of Laws, 
and to provide for their just administration. 

The tent of the order of the world is raised and estab- 
lished on the two pillars of " Reward and Retribution/' 

In despotic Governments carried on by men without 
Divine Faith, where no fear of Spiritual Retribution 
exists, the execution of the Laws is tyrannical and unjust. 

There is no greater prevention of oppression than 
these two sentiments, hope and fear. They have both 
political and spiritual Consequences. 



RELIGION AND POLITICS 147 

If Administrators of the Law would take into con- 
sideration the Spiritual consequences of their decisions, 
and follow the guidance of Religion, " They would be 
Divine Agents in the world of action, the representatives 
of God for those who are on Earth, and they would de- 
fend, for the Love of God, the interests of His servants as 
they would defend their own/' If a Governor realizes 
his responsibility, and fears to defy the Divine Law, his 
judgments will be just/ Above all, if he believes that 
the consequences of his actions will follow him beyond 
his earthly life, and that " as he sows so must he reap/ 1 
such a man will surely avoid injustice and tyranny. 

Should an official, on the contrary, think that all 
responsibility for his actions must end with his earthly 
life, knowing and believing nothing of Divine favours 
and a Spiritual Kingdom of Joy, he will lack the incentive 
to just dealing, and the Inspiration to destroy oppression 
and unrighteousness. 

When a Ruler knows that his judgments will be 
weighed in a balance by the Divine Judge, and that if 
he be not found wanting he will come into the Celestial 
Kingdom and that the Light of the Heavenly Bounty 
will shine upon him, then will he surely act with Justice 
and Equity. Behold how important it is that Ministers 
of State should be enlightened by Religion ! 

With Political Questions the Clergy, however, have 
nothing to do ! Religious matters should not be con- 
fused with Politics, in the present state of the world 
(for their interests are not identical). 

Religion concerns matters of the heart, of the Spirit, 
and of morals. 



148 RELIGION AND POLITICS 

Politics are occupied with the material things of life. 
Religious Teachers should not invade the realm of poli- 
tics ; they should concern themselves with the Spiritual 
education of the people ; they should ever give good 
counsel to men, trying to serve God and human kind ; 
they should endeavour to awaken Spiritual aspiration, 
and strive to enlarge the understanding and knowledge of 
humanity, to improve morals, and to increase the love 
for justice. 

This is in accordance with the Teaching of Baha'u'llah. 
In the Gospel also it is written, " Render unto Caesar 
the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things 
which are God's." 

In Persia there are some amongst the important 
Ministers of State who are Religious, who are exemplary, 
who worship God, and who fear to disobey His Laws, 
who judge justly and rule their people with Equity. 
Other Governors there are in this land who have no fear of 
God before their eyes, who think not of the consequences 
of their actions, working for their own desires, and these 
have brought Persia into great trouble and difficulty. 

Oh Friends of God, be living examples of Justice 1 
So that by the Mercy of God, the world may see in your 
actions that you manifest the attributes of Justice and 
Mercy. 

Justice is not limited, it is a universal quality. Its 
operation must be carried out in all classes, from the 
highest to the lowest. Justice must be sacred, and the 
rights of all the people must be considered. Desire for 
others only that which you desire for yourselves. Then 
shall we rejoice in the Sun of Justice, which shines 
from the Horizoin of God. 



EQUALITY OF SEX 149 

Each man has been placed in a post of honour, which 
he must not desert. A humble workman who commits 
an injustice is as much to blame as a renowned tyrant. 
Thus we all have our choice between justice and injustice. 

I hope that each one of you will become just, and 
direct your thoughts towards the Unity of Mankind ; 
that you will never harm your neighbours nor speak 
ill of any one ; that you will respect the rights 
of all men, and be more concerned for the interests 
of others than for your own. Thus will you become 
torches of Divine Justice, acting in accordance with the 
Teaching of Baha'u'llah, who, during His life, bore 
innumerable trials and persecutions in order to show 
forth to the world of mankind the virtues of the World 
of Divinity, making it possible for you to realize the 
Supremacy of the Spirit, and to rejoice in the Justice 
of God. 

By His Mercy, the Divine Bounty will be showered 
upon you, and for this I pray 1 



THE TENTH PRINCIPLE EQUALITY OF SEX 

4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris, 
November 

HPHE Tenth Principle of the teaching of Baha'u'llah 
is the Equality of the Sexes. 

God has created all creatures in couples. Man, 
Beast, or Vegetable, all the things of these three kingdoms 
are of two sexes, and there is absolute equality between 
them. 

In the vegetable world there are male plants and female 



150 EQUALITY OF SEX 

plants ; they have equal rights, and possess an equal 
share of the beauty of their species ; though indeed the 
tree that bears fruit might be said to be superior 
to that which is unfruitful. 

In the animal kingdom we see that the male and the 
female have equal rights ; and that they each share the 
advantages of their kind. 

Now in the two lower kingdoms of Nature we have 
seen that there is no question of the superiority of one 
sex over the other. In the world of humanity we find 
a great difference ; the female sex is treated as though 
inferior, and is not allowed equal rights and privileges. 
This condition is due not to Nature, but to education. 
In the Divine Creation there is no such distinction. 
Neither sex is superior to the other in the sight of God. 
Why then should one sex assert the inferiority of the 
other, withholding just rights and privileges as though 
God had given His authority for such a course of action ? 
If women received the same educational advantages as 
those of men, the result would demonstrate the equality 
of capacity of both for scholarship. 

In some respects woman is superior to man. She is 
more tender-hearted, more receptive, her intuition is 
more intense. 

It is not to be denied that in various directions woman 
at present is more backward than man, also that this 
temporary inferiority is due to the lack of educational 
opportunity. In the necessity of Life, Woman is more 
instinct with power than Man, for to her he owes his very 
existence. 

If the Mother is educated then her children will be well 
taught. When the Mother is wise, then will the children 



EQUALITY OF SEX 151 

be led into the path of wisdom. If the Mother be religious 
she will show her children how they should love God. 
If the Mother is moral she guides her little ones into the 
ways of uprightness. 

It is clear therefore that the future generation depends 
on the Mothers of to-day. Is not this a vital responsibility 
for the woman ? Does she not require every possible 
advantage to equip her for such a task ? 

Therefore, surely, God is not pleased that so important 
an instrument as woman should suffer from want of 
training in order to attain the perfections desirable and 
necessary for her great life's work ! Divine Justice 
demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally 
respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes 
of Heaven. Dignity before God depends, not on sex, 
but on purity and luminosity of heart. Human virtues 
belong equally to all ! 

Woman must endeavour then to attain greater 
perfection, to be man's equal in every respect, to make 
progress in all in which she has been backward, so that 
man will be compelled to acknowledge her equality of 
capacity and attainment. 

In Europe women have made greater progress than in 
the East, but there is still much to be done ! When 
students have arrived at the end of their school term 
an examination takes place, and the result thereof 
determines the knowledge and capacity of each student. 
So will it be with woman ; her actions will show her power, 
there will no longer be any need to proclaim it by words. 

It is my hope that women of the East, as well as their 
Western sisters, will progress rapidly until Humanity 
shall reach perfection. 



152 POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

God's Bounty is for all and gives power for all progress. 
When men own the equality of women there will be no 
need for them to struggle for their rights ! One of 
the Principles then of Baha'u'llah is the Equality of 
Sex. 

Women must make the greatest effort to acquire 
spiritual power and to increase in the Virtue of Wisdom 
and Holiness until their enlightenment and striving 
succeeds in bringing about the Unity of Manldnd. 
They must work with a burning enthusiasm to spread 
the Teaching of Baha'u'llah among the peoples, so that 
the Radiant Light of the Divine Bounty may envelop 
the souls of all the Nations of the World ! 



THE ELEVENTH PRINCIPLE, 
THE POWER OF THE IIOL\ SPIRIT. 

4, Avenue de Camocns, Paris, 

November i$th. 

TN the teaching of Baha'u'llah, it is written : " By the 
Power of the Holy Spirit alone is man able to progress, 
for the power of man is limited and the Divine Power 
is boundless." The reading of History brings us to the 
conclusion that all truly great men, the benefactors 
of the human race, those who have moved men to love 
the right and hate the wrong and who have caused 
real progress, all these have been inspired by the force 
of the Holy Spirit. 

The Prophets of God have not all graduated in the 
schools of learned Philosophy ; indeed they were often 
men of humble birth, to all appearance ignorant, 



POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 153 

unknown men of no importance in the eyes of the 
world ; sometimes even lacking the knowledge of 
reading and writing. 

That which raised these great ones above men, and 
by which they were able to become Teachers of the Truth, 
was the Power of the Holy Spirit. Their influence on 
Humanity, by virtue of this mighty Inspiration, was 
great and penetrating. 

The influence of the wisest philosophers, without this 
Spirit Divine, has been comparatively unimportant, 
however extensive their learning and deep their scholar- 
ship. 

The unusual intellects, for instance, of Plato, Aristotle, 
Pliny and Socrates, have not influenced men so greatly 
that they have been anxious to sacrifice their lives for 
their teachings ; whilst some of those simple men so 
moved humanity that thousands of men have become 
willing martyrs to uphold their words ; for these words 
were inspired by the Divine Spirit of God I The pro- 
phets of Judah and Israel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah and 
Ezekiel, were humble men, as were also the Apostles 
of Jesus Christ. 

Peter, the Chief of the Apostles, used to divide the 
proceeds of his fishing into seven parts, and when, 
having taken one part for each day's use, he arrived 
at the seventh portion, he knew it was the Sabbath day. 
Consider this ! and then think of his future position ; 
to what glory he attained because the Holy Spirit 
wrought great works through him. 

We understand that the Holy Spirit is the energizing 
factor in the life of man. Whosoever receives this power 
is able to influence all with whom he comes into contact. 



154 POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

The greatest philosophers without this Spirit are 
powerless, their souls lifeless, their hearts dead ! Unless 
the Holy Spirit breathes into their souls, they can do no 
good work. No system of Philosophy has ever been 
able to change the manners and customs of a people 
for the better. Learned philosophers, unenlightened 
by the Divine Spirit, have often been men of inferior 
morality ; they have not proclaimed in their actions 
the reality of their beautiful phrases. 

The difference between spiritual philosophers and 
others is shown by their lives. The Spiritual Teacher 
shows his belief in his own teaching, by himself being 
what he recommends to others. 

An humble man without learning, but filled with 
the Holy Spirit, is more powerful than the most nobly- 
born profound scholar, without that inspiration. He 
who is educated by the Divine Spirit can, in his time, 
lead others to receive the same Spirit. 

I pray for you that you may be informed by the life 
of the Divine Spirit, so that you may be the means of 
educating others. The life and morals of a spiritual 
man are, in themselves, an education to those who know 
him. 

Think not of your own limitations, dwell only on the 
welfare of the Kingdom of Glory. Consider the influence 
of Jesus Christ on His Apostles, then think of their effect 
upon the world. These simple men were enabled by 
the Power of the Holy Spirit to spread the glad 
tidings 1 

So may you all receive Divine assistance 1 No 
capacity is limited when led by the Spirit of God 1 

The earth of itself has no properties of life, it is 



POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 155 

barren and dry, until fertilized by the sun and the rain ; 
still the earth need not bewail its own limitations. 

May you be given life ! May the rain of the Divine 
Mercy and the warmth of the Sun of Truth make your 
gardens fruitful, so that many beautiful flowers of ex- 
quisite fragrance and love may blossom in abundance. 
Turn your faces away from the contemplation of your 
own finite selves and fix your eyes upon the Everlasting 
Radiance ; then will your souls receive in full measure 
the Divine Power of the Spirit and the Blessings of the 
Infinite Bounty. 

If you thus keep yourselves in readiness, you will 
become to the World of Humanity a burning flame, 
a star of guidance, and a fruitful tree, changing all its 
darkness and woe into Light and Joy by the shining 
of the Sun of Mercy and the infinite blessings of the Glad 
Tidings. 

This is the meaning of the Power of the Holy Spirit, 
which I pray may be bountifully showered upon you. 



4, Avenue de Camoens, Paris, 

November 28th. 

TN these gatherings where we have met and spoken 
together you have all become acquainted with the 
principles of this dispensation, and with the reality of facts. 
Unto you it has been given to know these things, but 
there are many still unenlightened and submerged in 
superstition. They have heard but little of this great 
and glorious Cause, and the knowledge they have is 
for the most part based only on hearsay. Alas, poor 
souls, the knowledge they have is not based on truth, 



156 POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

the foundation of their belief is not the teaching of 
BahaVllah I There is, assuredly, a certain amount 
of truth in what they have been told, but for the most 
part their information has been inaccurate. 

The true principles of the blessed Cause of God are 
the eleven rules which I have given you, and I have 
carefully explained these, one by one. 

You must endeavour always to live and act in direct 
obedience to the teachings and laws of Baha'u'llah, 
so that every individual may see in all the acts of your 
life that in word and in deed you are followers of the 
Blessed Perfection. 

Exert yourselves so that this glorious teaching may 
encircle the globe, and that spirituality may be infused 
into the hearts of men. 

The Breath of the Holy Spirit shall confirm you, 
and although many will arise against you, they shall 
not prevail I 

When the Lord Christ was crowned with thorns, 
He knew that all the diadems of the world were at His 
feet. All earthly crowns, however brilliant, powerful 
and resplendent* bowed in adoration before the Crown 
of Thorns 1 It was from this sure and certain knowledge 
He spoke, when He said : " All Power is given unto 
Me, in Heaven and in Earth. 1 ' l 

Now I say unto you, bear this on your hearts and in 
your minds. Verily your light shall illumine the whole 
world, your spirituality shall affect the heart of things. 
You shall in truth become the lighted torches of the 
Globe. Fear not, neither be dismayed, for your Light 
shall penetrate the densest darkness. This is the 
1 St. Matt, xxviii., 18. 



THE LAST MEETING 157 

Promise of God, which I give unto you. Rise 1 and 
serve the Power of God 1 



THE LAST MEETING. 

15, Rue Greuze, Paris, 
December ist. 

"IXTHEN I arrived in Paris some time ago for the first 

time, I looked around me with much interest, and 

in my mind I likened this beautiful city to a large garden. 

With loving care and much thought I examined the 
soil, and found it to be very good and full of possibility 
for steadfast faith and firm belief, for a seed of God's 
Love had been cast into the ground. 

Clouds of Heavenly Mercy showered their rain upon 
it, arid the Sun of Truth fell warmly upon the young 
seeds, and to-day one can see in your midst the birth 
of Belief. The seed cast into the ground has begun to 
spring up, and day by day you will see it grow. The 
bounties of the Kingdom of Baha'u'llah shall indeed 
bring forth a wondrous harvest 1 

Behold ! I bring you glad and joyful tidings ! Paris 
will become a garden of Roses 1 All kinds of beautiful 
flowers will spring up and flourish in this garden, and the 
fame of their fragrance and beauty will be spread in 
all lands. When I think of Paris in the future, I seem 
to see her bathed in the Light of the Holy Spirit 1 Verily, 
the day is dawning when Paris will receive her Illumina- 
tion, and the Goodness and Mercy of God will be visible 
to every living creature. 

Do not allow your minds to dwell on the present, 



158 THE LAST MEETING 

but with eyes of faith look into the future, for in truth 
the Spirit of God is working in your midst. 

Since my arrival a few weeks ago, I can see the growth 
of Spirituality. At the beginning only a few souls came 
to me for Light, but during my short sojourn among you 
the numbers have increased and doubled. This is a 
promise for the future ! 

When Christ was crucified and left this world, He had 
only eleven disciples and a very few followers ; but as 
He served the Cause of Truth look to-day at the result 
of His Life's work 1 He has illumined the world, and 
given life to dead humanity. After His Ascension 
little by little His cause grew, the souls of His 
followers became more and more luminous, and the 
exquisite perfume of their saintly lives spread on all 
sides. 

Now to-day, thank God, a similar condition has begun 
in Paris. There are many souls who have turned* to 
the Kingdom of God, and who are attracted to Unity, 
Love and Truth. 

Try so to work that the Goodness and Mercy of Abha 
may enfold theVhole of Paris. The Breath of the Holy 
Spirit will help you, the Celestial Light of the Kingdom 
will shine in your hearts, and the blessed Angels of God 
from Heaven will bring you strength and will succour 
you. Then thank God with all your hearts that you have 
attained to this supreme benefit. A great part of the 
world is plunged in sleep, but you have been awakened. 
Many are blind, but you see ! 

The call of the Kingdom is heard in your midst. Glory 
be to God, you have been born again, you have been 
baptized by the Fire of the Love of God ; you have been 



THE LAST MEETING 159 

plunged in the Sea of Life and regenerated by the Spirit 
of Love 1 

Having received such favour be thankful unto God, 
and never doubt His Goodness and Loving Kindness but 
have undying Faith in the Bounties of the Kingdom. 
Consort together in brotherly love, be ready to lay down 
your lives one for the other, and not only for those who 
are dear to you, but for all humanity. Look upon the 
whole human race as members of one family, all children 
of God ; and, in so doing you will see no difference 
between them. 

Humanity may be likened to a Tree. This Tree has 
branches, leaves, buds and fruit. Think of all men as 
being flowers, leaves or buds of this Tree, and try to 
help each and all to realize and enjoy God's blessings. 
God neglects none : He loves all. 

The only real difference that exists between people 
is that they are at various stages of development. Some 
are imperfect these must be brought to perfection. 
Some are asleep they must be awakened ; some are 
negligent they must be roused ; but one and all are the 
children of God. Love them all with your whole heart ; 
no one is a stranger to the other, all are friends. To- 
night I come to say farewell to you but bear this in 
your minds, that although our bodies may be far apart, 
in spirit we shall always be together. 

I bear you one and all in my heart, and will forget 
none of you and I hope that none of you will forget 
me. 

I in the East, and you in the West, let us try with 
heart and soul that Unity may dwell in the world, 
that all the peoples may become one people, and that the 



i6o THE LAST MEETING 

whole surface of the Earth may be like one country 
for the Sun of Truth shines on all alike, 

All the Prophets of God came for love of this one great 
aim. 

Look how Abraham strove to bring faith and love 
among the people ; how Moses tried to unite the people 
by sound Laws ; how the Lord Christ suffered unto 
death to bring the Light of Love and Truth into a dark- 
ened world ; how Mohammed sought to bring Unity 
and Peace between the various uncivilized tribes among 
whom he dwelt. And last of all, Baha'u'llah has suffered 
forty years for the same cause the single noble purpose 
of spreading love among the children of men and for 
the peace and unity of the world the Bab gave up his 
life. 

Thus, strive to follow the example of these Divine 
beings, drink from their fountain, be illumined by 
their Light, and to the world be as symbols of the .Mercy 
and Love of God. Be unto the world as rain and clouds 
of mercy, as Suns of Truth ; be a Celestial Army, and you 
shall indeed conquer the City of Hearts. 

Be thankful unto God that Baha'ullah has given us 
a firm and solid foundation. He left no place for sadness 
in hearts, and the writings of his sacred pen contain 
consolation for the whole world. He had the words 
of Truth, and anything that is contrary to his teaching 
is false. The chief aim of all his work was to do away 
with division. 

The Testament of Baha'u'llah is a Rain of Goodness, 
a Sun of Truth, Water of Life, the Holy Spirit. Thus, 
open your hearts to receive the full power of His Beauty, 
and I will pray for you all that this joy may be yours. 



ADDRESS BY ABDUL BAHA 161 

Now I say " Goodbye." 

This I say only to your outer selves ; I do not say it 
to your souls, for our souls are always together. 

Be comforted, and rest assured that day and night 
I shall turn to the Kingdom of Abha in supplication 
for you, that day by day you may grow better and holier, 
nearer to God, and more and more illumined by the 
Radiance of His Love. 

ADDRESS BY ABDUL BAHA 

AT THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE, ST. MARTIN'S 
LANE, LONDON, W.C. 

Sunday, Jan. I2th, 1913. 

A BOUT one thousand years ago a Society was formed 
** in Persia called the Society of the Friends, who 
gathered together for silent Communion with the 
Almighty. 

They divided Divine Philosophy into two parts : 
oiie kind is that of which the knowledge can be acquired 
through lectures and study in schools and colleges. The 
second kind of Philosophy was that of the Illuminati, 
or followers of the Inner Light. The schools of this 
Philosophy were held in silence. Meditating, and turning 
their faces to the Source of Light, from that central 
Light the mysteries of the Kingdom were reflected 
in the hearts of these people. All the Divine problems 
were solved by this power of illumination. 

This Society of Friends increased greatly in Persia, 
and up to the present time their societies exist. Many 
books and epistles were written by their leaders. When 
they assemble in their Meeting-house they sit silently 



i62 ADDRESS BY ABDUL BAHA 

and contemplate ; their leader opens with a certain pro- 
position, and says to the assembly " You must meditate 
on this problem." Then, freeing their minds from every- 
thing else, they sit and reflect, and before long the answer 
is revealed to them. Many abstruse divine questions 
are solved by this illumination. 

Some of the great questions unfolding from the rays 
of the Sun of Reality upon the mind of man are : the 
problem of the reality of the spirit of man ; of the birth 
of the spirit ; of its birth from this world into the world 
of God ; the question of the inner life of the spirit and 
of its fate after its ascension from the body. 

They also meditate upon the scientific questions of 
the day, and these are likewise solved. 

These people, who are called " Followers of the Inner 
Light," attain to a superlative degree of power, and are 
entirely freed from blind dogmas and imitations. Men 
rely on the statements of these people : by themselves 
within themselves they solve all mysteries. 

If they find a solution with the assistance of the Inner 
Light, they accept it, and afterwards they declare it : 
otherwise- they would consider it a matter of blind 
imitation. They go so far as to reflect upon the essential 
nature of the Divinity, of the Divine revelation, of the 
manifestation of the Deity in this world. All the 
divine and scientific questions are solved by them 
through the power of the spirit. 

Baha'u'llah says there is a sign (from God) in every 
phenomenon : the sign of the intellect is contemplation 
and the sign of contemplation is silence, because it is 
impossible for a man to do two things at one time he 
cannot both speak and meditate. 



ADDRESS BY ABDUL BAHA 163 

It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you 
are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of 
mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the 
spirit answers : the light breaks forth and the reality 
is revealed. 

You cannot apply the name " man " to any being void 
of this faculty of meditation ; without it he would be 
a mere animal, lower than the beasts. 

Through the faculty of meditation man attains to 
eternal life ; through it he receives the breath of the Holy 
Spirit the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection 
and meditation. 

The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened 
during meditation ; through it affairs of which man knew 
nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he 
receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives 
heavenly food. 

Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries. 
In that state man abstracts himself : in that state man 
withdraws himself from all outside objects ; in that 
subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual 
life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves. 
To illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two 
kinds of sight : when the power of insight is being used 
the outward power of vision does not see. 

This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal 
nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch 
with God. 

This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the 
sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty 
inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are 
carried out ; through it governments can run smoothly. 



164 PRAYER 

Through this faculty man enters into the very 
Kingdom of God. 

Nevertheless some thoughts are useless to man ; 
they are like waves moving in the sea without result. 
But if the faculty of meditation is bathed in the inner 
light and characterized with divine attributes, the 
results will be confirmed. 

The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror ; if you 
put it before earthly objects it will reflect them. There- 
fore if the spirit of man is contemplating earthly 
subjects he will be informed of these. 

But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards, 
the heavenly constellations and the rays of the Sun of 
Reality will be reflected in your hearts, and the virtues 
of the Kingdom will be obtained. 

Therefore let us keep this faculty rightly directed 
turning it to the heavenly Sun and not to earthly 
objects so that we may discover the secrets .of the 
Kingdom, and comprehend the allegories of the Bible 
and the mysteries of the Spirit. 

May we indeed become mirrors reflecting the heavenly 
realities, and may we become so pure as to reflect the 
stars of heaven. 

97, Cadogan Gardens, London, 
December 26, 1912* 

PRAYER 

" OHOULD Prayer take the form of action ? " 

^ Abdul Baha. Yes: In the Bahai cause arts, 
sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship. The 
man who makes a piece of notepaper to the best of his 



EVIL 165 

ability, conscientiously, concentrating all his forces on 
perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly, all effort 
and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his 
heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives 
and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship : 
to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the 
people. Service is prayer. A physician ministering 
to the sick, gently, tenderly, free from prejudice and 
believing in the solidarity of the human race, he is 
giving praise." 

" What is the purpose of our lives ? " 

Abdul Baha. " To acquire virtues. We come from 
the earth ; why were we transferred from the mineral 
to the vegetable kingdom from the plant to the animal 
kingdom ? So that we may attain perfection in each 
of these kingdoms, that we may possess the best quali- 
ties of the mineral, that we may acquire the power of 
growing as in the plant, that we may be adorned with 
the instincts of the animal and possess the faculties of 
sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste, until from the 
animal kingdom we step into the world of humanity 
and are gifted with reason, the power of invention, and 
the forces of the spirit." 

EVIL 

" What is evil ? " 

Abdul Baha. " Evil is imperfection. Sin is the 
state of man in the world of the baser nature, for in 
nature exist defects such as injustice, tyranny, hatred, 
hostility, strife : these are characteristics of the lower 
plane of nature. These are the sins of the world, the 
fruits of the tree from which Adam did eat. Through 



166 THE PROGRESS OF THE SOUL 

education we must free ourselves from these imperfec- 
tions. The Prophets of God have been sent, the Holy 
Books have been written, so that man may be made free. 
Just as he is born into this world of imperfection from 
the womb of his earthly mother, so is he born into the 
world of spirit through divine education. When a man 
is born into the world of phenomena he finds the Uni- 
verse ; when he is born from this world to the world of 
the Spirit, he finds the Kingdom." 

THE PROGRESS OF THE SOUL 

" Does the soul progress more through sorrow or 
through joy in this world ? " 

Abdul Baha. " The mind and spirit of man advance 
when he is tried by suffering. The more the ground is 
ploughed the better the seed will grow, the better the 
harvest will be. Just as the plough furrows the earth 
deeply, purifying it of weeds and thistles, so suffering 
and tribulation free man from the petty affairs of this 
worldly life until he arrives at a state of complete 
detachment. His attitude in this world will be that of 
divine happiness. Man is, so to speak, unripe : the heat 
of the fire of suffering will mature him. Look back 
to the times past and you will find that the greatest men 
have suffered most." 

" He who through suffering has attained development, 
should he fear happiness ? " 

Abdul Baha. " Through suffering he will attain to 
an eternal happiness which nothing can take from him. 
The Apostles of Christ suffered : they attained eternal 
happiness. 1 ' 



THE FOUR KINDS OF LOVE 167 

" Theft it is impossible to attain happiness without 
suffering ? " 

Abdul Baha. " To attain eternal happiness one 
must suffer. He who has reached the state of self- 
sacrifice has true joy. Temporal joy will vanish/' 

11 Can a departed soul converse with someone still 
on earth ? " 

Abdul Baha. " A conversation can be held, but 
not as our conversation. There is no doubt that the 
forces of the higher worlds interplay with the forces 
of this plane. The heart of man is open to inspira- 
tion ; this is spiritual communication. As in a dream 
one talks with a friend while the mouth is silent, so is it 
in the conversation of the spirit. A man may converse 
with the ego within him saying : ' May I do this ? 
Would it be advisable for me to do this work ? ' Such as 
this is conversation with the higher self/ 1 



THE FOUR KINDS OF LOVE 

97, Cadogan Gardens, London, 
Saturday, January 4, 1913. 

HAT a power is Love ! It is the most wonderful, 

the greatest of all living powers. 
Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame 
in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hope- 
less and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful. 

In the world of existence there is indeed no greater 
power than the power of love. When the heart of man 
is aglow with the flame of love, he is ready to sacrifice 
all even his life. In the Gospel it is said God is Love. 



168 THE FOUR KINDS OF LOVE 

There are four kinds of love. The first is the love that 
flows from God to man ; it consists of the inexhaustible 
graces, the Divine effulgence and heavenly illumination. 
Through this love the world of being receives life. 
Through this love man is endowed with physical exist- 
ence, until, through the Breath of the Holy Spirit 
this same love he receives eternal life and becomes the 
image of the Living God. This love is the origin of all 
the love in the world of creation. 

The second is the love that flows from man to God. 
This is faith, attraction to the Divine, enkindlement, 
progress, entrance into the Kingdom of God, receiving 
the Bounties of God, illumination with the lights of the 
Kingdom. This love is the origin of all philanthropy ; 
this love causes the hearts of men to reflect the rays of 
the Sun of Reality. 

The third is the love of God towards the Self or Identity 
of God. This is the transfiguration of His Beauty, the 
reflection of Himself in the mirror of His Creation. 
This is the reality oi Love, the Ancient Love, the Eternal 
Love. Through one ray of this Love all othgr love 
exists. 

The fourth is the love of man for man. The love 
which exists between the hearts of believers is prompted 
by the ideal of the unity of spirits. This love is attained 
through the knowledge of God, so that men see the Divine 
Love reflected in the heart. Each sees in the 
other the Beauty of God reflected in the soul, and 
finding this point of similarity, they are attracted 
to one another in love. This love will make all men the 
waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars 
of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will 



TABLET REVEALED BY ABDUL BAHA 169 

bring the realisation of true accord, the foundation of 
real unity. 

But the love which sometimes exists between friends 
is not (true) love, because it is subject to transmutation ; 
this is merely fascination. As the breeze blows, the 
slender trees yield. If the wind is in the East the tree 
leans to the West, and if the wind turns to the West 
the tree leans to the East. This kind of love is originated 
by the accidental conditions of life. This is not love, 
it is merely acquaintanceship ; it is subject to change. 

To-day you will see two souls apparently in close 
friendship ; to-morrow all this may be changed. Yester- 
day they were ready to die for one another, to-day they 
shun one another's society ! This is not love ; it is the 
yielding of the hearts to the accidents of life. When 
that which has caused this " love " to exist passes, the 
love passes also ; this is not in reality love. 

Love is only of the four kinds that I have explained, 
(a) The love of God towards the identity of God. Christ 
has said God is Love, (b) The love of God for His 
children for His servants, (c) The love of man for 
God and (d) the love of man for man. These four kinds 
of love originate from God. These are rays from the 
Sun of Reality ; these are the Breathings of the Holy 
Spirit ; these are the Signs of the Reality. 



TABLET REVEALED BY ABDUL BAHA 

August 28th, 1913. 
THOU my beloved daughter I 
Thine eloquent and fluent letter was perused in a 
gardto, under the cool shade of a tree, while the gentle 



170 TABLET REVEALED BY ABDUL BAHA 

breeze was wafting. The means of physical enjoyment 
was spread before the eyes and thy letter became the 
cause of spiritual enjoyment. Truly, I say, it was not a 
letter but a rose-garden adorned with hyacinths and 
flowers. 

It contained the sweet fragrance of Paradise and the 
zephyr of Divine Love blew from its roseate words. 

As I have not ample time at my disposal, I will give 
herein a brief, conclusive and comprehensive answer. 
It is as follows : 

In this Revelation of BAHA'U'LLAH, the women go 
neck and neck with the men. In no movement will 
they be left behind. Their rights with men are equal 
in degree. They will enter all the administrative 
branches of politics. They will attain in all such a 
degree as will be considered the very highest station 
of the world of humanity and will take part in all affairs. 
Rest ye assured. Do ye not look upon the present con- 
ditions ; in the not far distant future the world of women 
will become all-refulgent and all-glorious, For His 
Holiness BAHA'U'LLAH Hath Willed It so / At the time 
of elections Jthe right to vote is the inalienable right of 
women, and the entrance of women into all human de- 
partments is an irrefutable and incontrovertible question. 
No soul can retard or prevent it. 

But there are certain matters, the participation in 
which is not worthy of women. For example, at the 
time when the community is taking up vigorous defensive 
measures against the attack of foes, the women are 
exempt from military engagements. It may so happen 
that at a given time warlike and savage tribes may 
furiously attack the body politic with the intention of 



TABLET REVEALED BY ABDUL BAHA 171 

carrying on a wholesale slaughter of its members ; under 
such a circumstance defence is necessary, but it is the 
duty of men to organize and execute such defensive 
measures and not the women, because their hearts 
are tender and they cannot endure the sight of the horror 
of carnage, even if it is for the sake of defence. From 
such and similar undertakings the women are exempt. 

As regards the constitution of the House of Justice 
BAHA'U'LLAH addresses the men. He says : " O ye 
men of the House of Justice ! " 

But when its members are to be elected the right which 
belongs to women, so far as their voting and their voice 
is concerned, is indisputable. When the women attain 
to the ultimate degree of progress, then, according to the 
exigency of the time and place and their great capacity, 
they shall obtain extraordinary privileges. Be ye con- 
fident on these accounts. His Holiness BAHA'U'LLAH 
has greatly strengthened the cause of women, and the 
rights and privileges of women is one of the greatest 
principles of Abdul Baha. Rest ye assured f Ere 
long the days shall come when the men, addressing 
the women, shall say : " Blessed are ye ! Blessed 
are ye ! Verily ye are worthy of every gift. Verily ye 
deserve to adorn your heads with the crown of everlasting 
glory, because in sciences and arts, in virtues and perfections 
ye shall become equal to man, and as regards tenderness 
of heart and the abundance of mercy and sympathy ye 
are superior." 



PUBLICATIONS. 

To those who would learn more of the Bahai revela- 
tion the following books are to be recommended : 

The Splendour of God. Eric Hammond. 2s,, by 

post 2s. 3d. [John Murray]. 
Abdul Baha in London : Addresses and Notes, is., by 

post is. 2d. [Watkins.] 
Bahaism and its place in the Evolution of Creeds. F. H. 

Skrine. is. 6d., by post is. 8d. [Dent.] 
A Brief Account of the Bahai Movement. E. J. Rosen- 
berg, id. [Kenneth Mackenzie, Blyth Rd., W. 

Kensington.] 
Bahaism : The Modern Social Religion. Horace 

Holley. 6s. [Sidgwick and Jackson.] 
The Reconciliation of Races and Religions. T. K. 

Cheyne, D.Litt, D.D. 6s. net. [Adam and 

Charles Black.] 
Some Answered Questions (translated from Abdul 

Baha), by Laura Clifford Barney. 4$. net, by post 

45. 4d. [Kegan Paul.] 

The following works are published by the Bahai 
Publishing Society, Miss Mary Lesch, 4,319, Lake Park 
Avenue, Chicago, Ills., U.S.A. 

The Hidden Words. Baha'u'llah. Price gd. 
The Seven Valleys. Baha'u'llah. is. ad. 
Tarazat and other Tablets. Baha'u'llah. 2S. 6d. 
The Book of Ighan. Baha'u'llah. 45. 6d. 

The above American Publications can be procured 
through Kenneth Mackenzie, Blyth Rd., West Kensing- 
ton. 



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